Arabesque 1966 N/R, 107 min. Genre: Adventure / Drama / Thriller / Romance
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Alan Badel, Kieron Moore, George Coulouris, Duncan Lamont, Ernest Clark, Carl Duering, John Merivale, Harold Kasket, Gordon Griffin, Malya Nappi, Robert Rowland, Larry Taylor, Windsor Davies
An American, David Pollock (Gregory Peck), is a professor of languages at Oxford University who translates a message in hieroglyphics. When Middle Eastern leaders, spies, and oil sheiks try to obtain the contents of the secret message, Pollack partners with Yasmin Azir (Sophia Loren), but her motives are questionable as Pollack is propelled into the world of international espionage.
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Bedazzled 1967 N/R, 104 min. Genre: Comedy / Fantasy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Eleanor Bron, Raquel Welch, Alba, Robert Russell, Barry Humphries, Daniele Noel, Michael Bates, Charles Lloyd Pack
A short-order cook, Stanley Moon (Dudley Moore), sells his soul to George Spiggott (Peter Cook), a.k.a. the Devil, in return for seven sinful wishes in this modern-day version of "Dr. Faust."
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Blame It on Rio 1984 R, 100 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Michael Caine, Joseph Bologna, Valerie Harper, Demi Moore, Michelle Johnson, Jose Lewgoy, Lupe Gigliotti, Michael Menaugh, Tessy Callado
Michael Caine has a fling with his daughter's best friend while on a holiday in Rio de Janeiro. Amusing remake of the French movie, "One Wild Moment" (1977).
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Charade 1963 PG, 114 min. Genre: Comedy / Mystery / Thriller / Romance
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, James Coburn, George Kennedy, Ned Glass, Jacques Marin, Paul Bonifas, Dominique Minot, Thomas Chelimsky, Gregoire Aslan, Monte Landis
Audrey Hepburn stars as widow Regina "Reggie" Lampert fleeing from criminals and government agents who are after the $25,000 her murdered spouse supposedly pilfered during World War II. Cary Grant plays the love interest Peter Joshua who isn't who he pretends to be in this comedy/mystery.
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Damn Yankees 1958 N/R, 110 min. Genre: Musical
Director: George Abbott, Stanley Donen Cast: Gwen Verdon, Tab Hunter, Ray Walston, Russ Brown, Shannon Bolin, Nathaniel Frey, James Komack, Jean Stapleton, Albert Linville, Bob Fosse
Frustrated baseball fans will understand the deal made with the Devil to help a hapless team win the pennant. Gwen Verdon is great in her role of Lola, the Devil's (Ray Walston) helper. Her rendition of "Whatever Lola Wants" is worth the price of the rental and more!
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Deep in My Heart 1954 N/R, 130 min. Genre: Musical / Drama / Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Jose Ferrer, Merle Oberon, Helen Traubel, Doe Avedon, Walter Pidgeon, Paul Henreid, Tamara Toumanova, Jim Backus, Gene Kelly, Russ Tamblyn, Paul Stewart, Isobel Elsom, Rosemary Clooney, Jane Powell, Ann Miller
Jose Ferrer is excellent in his role as Sigmund Romberg who comes to the United States in 1909 and begins his song-writing career in New York City. He is encouraged by Anna Mueller (Helen Traubel), and 40 years later he has written more than 2,000 songs as well as the scores for more than 80 plays, musical shows, and operettas–including "The Student Prince" and "The Desert Song." Romberg's songs, performed by musical stars, highlight this biography of his rise to fame and fortune.
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Fearless Fagan 1952 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Janet Leigh, Carleton Carpenter, Keenan Wynn, Richard Anderson, Ellen Corby, Barbara Ruick, John Call, Robert Burton, Wilton Graff, Parley Baer
When circus performer Floyd Hilston (Carleton Carpenter) is drafted into the army, he brings along his trained lion, Fagan.
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Funny Face 1957 N/R, 103 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, Kay Thompson, Michel Auclair, Suzy Parker, Robert Flemyng, Ruta Lee, Iphigenie Castiglioni, Jean Del Val, Alex Gerry, Dovima, Virginia Gibson, Sue England, Paul Smith
Fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) uses a bookstore to shoot a layout and is fascinated with hapless clerk Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) who has been left with the cleanup after models and photographer have left. Not to worry, Jo is rescued by Dick who takes her to Paris and turns her into a glamorous fashion model. All this, and a love story to boot, makes a good movie.
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Give a Girl a Break 1953 N/R, 81 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Marge Champion, Gower Champion, Debbie Reynolds, Helen Wood, Bob Fosse, Donna Martell, Kurt Kasznar, Richard Anderson, Lurene Tuttle, Larry Keating
When the star (Donna Martell) quits her Broadway show, three aspiring starlets (Marge Champion, Debbie Reynolds, and Helen Wood) compete for the vacant role.
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The Grass Is Greener 1960 N/R, 105 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum, Jean Simmons, Moray Watson, Joan Benham, Gwen Watford, Elisabeth Orion
The Earl and Lady Rhyalls (Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr) are a happily married, upper-crust couple living in a castle. When they become romantically tempted by others, the comedy of manners begins.
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Indiscreet 1958 N/R, 100 min. Genre: Comedy / Romance
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Ingrid Bergman, Cary Grant, Cecil Parker, Phyllis Calvert, David Kossoff, Megs Jenkins, Oliver Johnston, Richard Vernon, Martin Boddey, John Welsh, Michael Anthony, Diane Clare
A successful actress (Ingrid Bergman) wants love and marriage, while a successful businessman (Cary Grant) wants love but no marriage. The two meet in London, and humor and intrigue are the result.
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It's Always Fair Weather 1955 N/R, 102 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly Cast: Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse, Dolores Gray, Michael Kidd, David Burns, Jay C. Flippen, Hal March, Paul Maxey, Peter Leeds
Three veterans meet for a 10th-year reunion and find their lives have not gone the way they planned. The situation takes a turn for the better when a television show provides the chance to work out difficulties–but not without creating more problems!
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Kiss Them for Me 1957 N/R, 105 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Cary Grant, Jayne Mansfield, Suzy Parker, Leif Erickson, Ray Walston, Jack Mullaney, Ben Wright, Harry Carey Jr., Larry Blyden, Werner Klemperer
Three navy pilots are on R & R in San Francisco where they spend a very enjoyable four days before returning to duty.
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The Little Prince 1974 G, 88 min. Genre: Family / Musical / Sci-Fi
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Richard Kiley, Steven Warner, Bob Fosse, Gene Wilder, Joss Ackland, Clive Revill, Victor Spinetti, Graham Crowden, Donna McKechnie
Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe provided the musical score for this film about a little prince (Steven Warner) from Asteroid B-612. The little prince visits Earth and is given a tour by an aviator (Richard Kiley) whose plane has crashed in the Sahara Desert. During their excursion, the young prince learns important lessons of life from not only the pilot but from others they meet, including a Fox (Gene Wilder) and a slithery Snake (Bob Fosse) as well.
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Love Is Better Than Ever 1952 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Larry Parks, Elizabeth Taylor, Josephine Hutchinson, Tom Tully, Elinor Donahue, Gene Kelly, Ann Doran, Kathleen Freeman, Alex Gerry, Dick Wessel
Jud Parker (Larry Parks) is a Broadway vaudeville agent who meets and falls in love with Anastacia (Elizabeth Taylor), a dance teacher who has just arrived in the big city.
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Lucky Lady 1975 PG, 118 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli, Burt Reynolds, Geoffrey Lewis, Robby Benson, Michael Hordern, John Hillerman, Anthony Holland, John McLiam, Val Avery
Set during the era of prohibition, this is a wacky tale of a trio of California rumrunners (Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli, and Burt Reynolds).
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Movie Movie 1978 PG, 105 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Red Buttons, Eli Wallach, Harry Hamlin, Ann Reinking, Michael Kidd, Barry Bostwick, Art Carney, Jocelyn Brando
This parody of 1930's Depression Era films involves a double feature. The first is a boxing drama, and the second, of course, is a musical.
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Royal Wedding 1951 N/R, 92 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill, Keenan Wynn, Albert Sharpe, James Finlayson, Mae Clarke, Henri Letondal, Alex Frazer
Fred Astaire performs his famous dance on the ceiling in this film about brother/sister stars–Tom (Fred Astaire) and Ellen Bowen (Jane Powell)–who perform in London during the exciting time of Queen Elizabeth's wedding and become involved in romances of their own.
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Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 1954 N/R, 103 min. Genre: Family / Musical / Adventure / Comedy / Drama
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Howard Keel, Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall, Marc Platt, Jane Powell, Julie Newmar, Ruta Lee, Ian Wolfe, Virginia Gibson, Matt Mattox, Jacques d'Amboise, Nancy Kilgas, Betty Carr, Norma Doggett
Great dancing highlights this fanciful musical about seven brothers in 1850s' Oregon who "kidnap" seven women chosen as their brides. An avalanche prevents the girls' relatives from rescuing them, and love blooms before the spring thaw. An Academy Award went to the film for Best Musical Score, and a nomination was received for Best Picture along with three other nominations.
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Singin' in the Rain 1952 N/R, 102 min. Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Rita Moreno, Cyd Charisse, Douglas Fowley, Millard Mitchell, Madge Blake, King Donovan, Kathleen Freeman, Mae Clarke, Stuart Holmes
This is the film featuring Gene Kelly's memorable dance through the rain-splattered street. Kelly plays 1927's silent film star Don Lockwood who has teamed up professionally with Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), but he prefers spending his personal time with aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). Now, Don and Lina are set to film their first talkie. Don has no problems, while Lina's shrill voice does not adapt to the microphone. Don finds the solution to the problem by dubbing in Kathy's voice to replace Lina's. This film represents one of the best musicals ever. The songs include "Singin' in the Rain," "You were Meant for Me," "You are My Lucky Star," and "The Broadway Melody." Jean Hagen was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress. 1 User Review
| User Review |
| | As Good as it Gets | 1fatts 07/22/2007 | The script is funny. The music is great. The Gene Kelly/Donald O'Connor dancing duets are magic. Debbie Reynolds looks younger than Princess Leia ever did. Jean Hagen steals every scene she is in -- Steals it? She picks it up, tucks it under her arm and carries it away.
Best Line: "I make more money than Calvin Coolidge . . . put together!"
Favorite Trivia: At the end of the film, Debbie Reynolds is supposedly dubbing a song which the Jean Hagen character is mouthing because she cannot sing. In reality, in this one song in the film, Debbie Reynolds is being dubbed by . . . Jean Hagen!
This one is on everyone's list of top ten musicals ever made. But if you know anything about movies, you already know that. |
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Surprise Package 1960 N/R, 100 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Stanley Donen Cast: Yul Brynner, Mitzi Gaynor, Bill Nagy, Lionel Burton, Barry Foster, Eric Pohlmann, Noel Coward, George Coulouris, Warren Mitchell, Lyndon Brook
Based on Art Buchwald's novel, this is an amusing comedy about exiled mobster Nico March (Yul Brynner) who is deported to Greece where he meets King Pavel II (Noel Coward) and plans to get his hands on the royal jewels.
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| 1. Arabesque (1966)
2. Bedazzled (1967)
3. Blame It on Rio (1984)
4. Charade (1963)
5. Damn Yankees (1958)
6. Deep in My Heart (1954)
7. Fearless Fagan (1952)
8. Funny Face (1957)
9. Give a Girl a Break (1953)
10. The Grass Is Greener (1960)
11. Indiscreet (1958)
12. It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
13. Kiss Them for Me (1957)
14. The Little Prince (1974)
15. Love Is Better Than Ever (1952)
16. Lucky Lady (1975)
17. Movie Movie (1978)
18. Once More, with Feeling (1960)
19. Royal Wedding (1951)
20. Saturn 3 (1980)
21. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
22. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
23. Surprise Package (1960)
24. Two for the Road (1967)
In The News
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