What better way to celebrate Halloween than to answer my sister Noora's Macabtobre Challenge.
This will be an awfully long post, so sit back, relax, and get ready for an all-nighter...hehe.
Okay so let me begin the beguine.


Starring : George Sanders, Martin Stephens
Directed by : Wolf Rilla
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻
This film was on my to watch list for a while, but both Noora and I were afraid to watch it thinking it'd be a bit eerie like child actor Martin Stephens' other film 'The Innocents'. After discovering George Sanders was the lead we finally decided to watch it and fell in love with this ominous film instantly.

I Married a Monster from Outer Space - 1958
Starring : Tom Tryon, Gloria Talbott
Directed by : Gene Fowler Jr.
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻ ◻
This is what I've always imagined a Horror/Sci Fi film in the 1950's would be like before I watched  any. I love it. I usually rate a film by the storyline of course, but I also rate by the feeling I get whilst watching it. And although this film didn't have the best storyline, it did make me feel tickled pink watching it. Hmm...Perhaps my siblings and I watched it when we were children, because it made me think back to my childhood.

The Night Walker - 1964
Starring : Barbara Stanwyck, Robert Taylor, Hayden Rorke
Directed by : William Castle
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻
Other than William Castle's enigmatic plot to misguide us from the actual complot, the only thing I didn't like about this film was how ghastly Hayden Rorke looked. I was on edge everytime he showed up and tried not to look directly into the screen. While I wish Barbara Stanwyck extened her cinematic career, I think it was a great finale. I love this film and love watching Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck's evident onscreen chemistry.

Starring : Vincent Price, Carolyn Jones, Phyllis Kirk
Directed by : Andre DeToth
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻ ◻
This could've been a very spooky film had it not been for Phyllis Kirk's "acting". They could've used one of the waxed figures and gotten the exact same effect as her impassive acting. However, I still enjoyed it, Vincent Price was primarily the reason for that. His face was terrifying.


House on Haunted Hill - 1959
Starring : Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Elisha Cook, Carolyn Craig, Alan Marshal, Julie Mitchum, Richard Long
Directed by : William Castle
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻ ◻
Just like 'I Married a Monster from Outer Space' this film is a favourite of mine for the feeling it gave me rather than the whole plot, although I do like it. It took me back in time in London when Noora and I used to play Clue-do instead of doing homework. Or in drama class where we were put into groups and had to act out something very similar to this storyline.

The Mad Magician - 1954
Starring : Vincent Price, Mary Murphy, Eva Gabor
Directed by : John Brahm
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻
I consider this film to be the best Vincent Price Horror. Despite having watched it only once (this might be normal for many people, but I usually watch films I like countless times) it was by far the most entertaining. Probably due to the originality of the story. I have yet to see anything like it.

The Birds - 1963
Starring : Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy, Veronica Cartwright
Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Despite it being a Horror, I love watching this film throughout the year. Other than Edith Head's superb costume design, I loved it because it kept me on the edge of me seat, yet it wasn't an unbearably disturbing film. This is one of the reasons I love Hitchcock films, they are for everyone.




The Desperate Hours - 1955
Starring : Humphrey Bogart, Fredric March, Gig Young
Directed by : William Wyler
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
This film is exceptional, in-fact it is so good that you will not find any defect. The tiniest elements added so much to the story and made it seem as though you've seen the characters grow and mature when the duration of the event went on for only two days. This is the reason why I love William Wyler's work.

Dial M for Murder - 1954
Starring : Ray Milland, Grace Kelly, Robert Cummings
Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻ ◻
The reason I rated this film a three rather than a five is simply because I don't like the fact they victimised Grace Kelly's character when she was the one having an affair. In reality I certainly wouldn't take the side of a murderer but I couldn't help but take Ray Milland's side in the film, because of how overly pietistic his wife was acting when she was anything but innocent. If it wasn't for this tiny element I would've definitely given it a five. Ray Milland was exceptional, as he usually was.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? - 1962
Starring : Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Victor Buono
Directed by : Robert Aldrich
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
This is one of my favourite films of all time. Both Bette Davis and Joan Crawford were phenomenal, their performances in it were their greatest, and I think both were irreplaceable. After all, they were the Queens of Hollywood. I feel they complimented each other and their chemistry was what made the film even better, despite what the media said.

Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte - 1964
Starring : Bette Davis, Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway
Directed by : Robert Aldrich
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
If it wasn't for Bette Davis I don't think I would've ever known how much I love Thrillers. She's the reason I started watching them. She was absolutely magnificent and the storyline was brilliant. But even with Olivia de Havilland's superb performance I still wish Joan Crawford wasn't replaced since Robert Aldrich wanted this film to be a followup to 'Baby Jane' but for the actresses to switch roles this time. Nevertheless, I don't think I enjoyed it any less that Olivia de Havilland was cast.

Rebecca - 1940
Starring : Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson, George Sanders
Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Rebecca has been one of my favourite films for a long time and fortunately the book is this month's read in my book-club, so I'm very excited to discuss it. As usual, Laurence Olivier was brilliant beyond expectations. I love watching this film and any starring Laurence Olivier in Autumn or rainy afternoons.

I Saw What You Did - 1965
Starring : Joan Crawford, John Ireland, Andi Garrett
Directed by : William Castle
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
This film is a typical 1960's teen thriller. I never get bored of it and can watch it all year round. In-fact I was watching it just a few hours ago. John Ireland was incredible, he was the most likeable villain. Joan Crawford was hilarious, she was the best part of the film regardless of the short screen-time she got. Some say 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' was sort of a remake of this. Maybe so, but the whole storyline was different, and I remember being scared stiff watching it, but maybe because I was only 12.

Dead Ringer - 1964
Starring : Bette Davis, Bette Davis, Peter Lawford, Karl Malden
Directed by : Paul Henreid
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
I love watching Bette Davis act as jealous twins. This was her second time doing so and she definitely exceeded her performance in it. She almost makes you believe you're actually watching twins with completely different personalities but both very evil. I also love the fashion in it, even-though I don't think some of the outfits complimented her.

Rope - 1948
Starring : James Stewart, John Dall, Farley Granger
Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻
This film was inspired by a real life murder of a 14 year old boy Bobby Franks in 1924 by two university students Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb. After discovering this, the film has become a tad more disturbing to me. I love that it was filmed entirely in one set, a flat. The idea somehow reminds me of an episode of F.r.i.e.n.d.s called 'The One Where No One's Ready' where they filmed the whole episode in Monica and Rachel's flat.

Wait Until Dark - 1967
Starring : Audrey Hepburn, Richard Crenna, Alan Arkin
Directed by : Terence Young
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
I find it quite strange that this film is very underrated even-though Audrey Hepburn was the lead. She gave her best performance in it and it's a shame it isn't as known now as the others she starred in. I know this is rather bizarre, I don't know why a film about criminals breaking into a blind woman's home while she's alone gives me a cosy feeling, but it does...hehe. Mel Ferrer produced this film. I wish he was in it though, why couldn't he play the role of 'Mike Talman', Oh how I wish he did.

Rear Window - 1954
Starring : James Stewart, Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, Raymond Burr
Directed by : Alfred Hitchcock
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻
Don't ask me why a lot of Thrillers give me a cosy feeling, but they do, and 'Rear Window' is one of them. Walking into a small and comfortable flat and spying at your neighbours whilst it's raining outside is tremendously cosy...hehe. Don't you just adore Grace Kelly's wardrobe in this film? I'm madly in love with it, Edith Head was truly the best. I love how every-time Grace Kelly entered the flat with a new outfit, she walked in as though she was modelling her outfits for us. She even twirled around so we can see the back of the dresses, or removed her jacket to show us how the top looked like.

What's the Matter with Helen? - 1971
Starring : Debbie Reynolds, Shelley Winters
Directed by : Curtis Harrington
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
This film changed my mind about both Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters as actors. I never liked either of them and felt they ruined a lot of films for me. In-fact I still do, but they were both incredible in this film. I don't believe I'm saying this but I feel they've done tremendously well in it that if they were replaced, the film wouldn't have been this great. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and didn't expect the ending to turn out the way it did. I love it!

Dragonwyck - 1946
Starring : Gene Tierney, Vincent Price, Glenn Langan
Directed by : Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
Dragonwyck is one of my favourite films of all time. I love films from the 1940's, especially when the lead was Gene Tierney. She always managed to make even the most ridiculous films one of the greatest. I love her and her unique style of acting. Although I love the film very much, I don't think I would've rated it a five had it not been for her. She added a very strong element to it that no one else could've.

Sudden Fear - 1952
Starring : Jack Palance, Joan Crawford, Gloria Grahame
Directed by : David Miller
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
After watching Jack Palance in this film he instantly became a favourite of mine, I was thrilled to find a film of both him and Joan Crawford together. This film was everything I love and more. I just love characters that change gradually in time, and you get to experience it with them. How the whole plot changes, first comes love, then fear, then hatred and finally madness. All the while, you're feeling excited and apprehensive all the way through.



Comedy of Terrors - 1963
Starring : Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff
Directed by : Jacques Tourneur
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻ ◻
I've only watched this fiim once a long time ago so I don't remember every detail except that I did not like the father who was played by Boris Karloff for some reason, I can't remember why...heheh. I love watching Vincent Price and Peter Lorre together, But I was most happy that Basil Rathbone was in it, and he was absolutely hilarious. The story was ridiculously entertaining and I couldn't stop laughing all the way through.

Arsenic and Old Lace - 1944
Starring : Cary Grant, Raymond Massey, Peter Lorre, Jack Carson
Directed by : Frank Capra
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
I love this film so much that Noora and I watched twice this month. Not counting the many times we've watched it before, of-course. It's one of my favourite films to watch on Halloween. The Hymn the aunts sing is stuck in my head...hehe. They're both the cutest old psycho ladies you'll ever see. Cary Grant was a bit over the top, but I still loved him in it. Nothing can ruin this film for me.

Blithe Spirit - 1945
Starring : Rex Harrison, Margaret Rutherford, Constance Cummings, Kay Hammond
Directed by : David Lean
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻
Rex Harrison was effortlessly hilarious as he usually was, and Margaret Rutherford (no relation to Lumpy & Fred Rutherford) was exceptionally funny. I can go on for hours listening to her nonsense and I'd laugh my heart out all way through. I love watching this film on a rainy afternoon during tea-time. Come to think of it, I love watching most Rex Harrison films on rainy afternoons during tea-time.

The Hidden Hand - 1942
Starring : Milton Parsons, Cecil Cunningham, Willie Best
Directed by : Benjamin Stoloff
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
While Noora and I searched for films to watch during this month, we came across this hilarious masterpiece. I really didn't expect it to be this funny. I was absolutely happy to add another comedy favourite to watch when I really need a giggle.


I Married a Witch - 1942
Starring : Fredric March, Veronica Lake, Cecil Kellaway, Elizabeth Patterson
Directed by : Rene Clair
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
I can't go a year without watching this film. It makes me feel happy, and reminds me of my childhood when my siblings and I used to watch it, but it mostly reminds me of Noora, and I love watching it with her, as I enjoy watching everything with her, but mostly because she's always in a cheery mood when she watches it. I love Veronica Lake's hair, I love it truuuuuly, truuuly dear.







I Dream of Jeannie - 1965 to 1970
Starring : Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman, Bill Daily, Hayden Rorke
Created by : Sidney Sheldon
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼ ◼
I don't even know what to say about this show except how much I love it. It is absolutely hilarious, and the whole cast was perfect. It's my favourite fantasy sitcom. I don't watch it on October though, I watch 'The Munsters' instead.



My Favourite Martian - 1963 - 1966
Starring : Ray Walston, Bill Bixby, Pamela Britton
Created by : John L. Greene
Rating : ◼ ◼ ◼ ◻ ◻
The reason why I love this show is because it reminds me of 'I Dream of Jeannie'. Noora and I only recently started watching it and stopped because we were watching way too many sitcoms at the same time. Only after stopping, I found out how much I really enjoyed it.






Choosing a favourite actor for a specific Genre is difficult because I always constantly feel I'm forgetting someone. However, these are the ones who came to mind instantly. Of-course only one of them is a Horror star, the other three are my favourites in Thriller.

 Jack Palance - Vincent Price
Bette Davis - Joan Crawford





Director : Alfred Hitchcock
Favourite Films :
- Rebecca - 1941
- Rear Window - 1954
- Rope - 1948
- The Birds - 1963
- Dial M for Murder - 1954
- I Confess - 1953



Director : Robert Aldrich
Favourite Films :
- What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? - 1962
- Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte - 1964






Director : William Castle
Favourite Films :
- I Saw What You Did - 1966
- Strait-Jacket -1964
- House on Haunted Hill - 1959




Wow, that was long hahah!!! I hope I didn't bore you to death. I'll continue with my answers for the rest of the challenge on another post.

Comments

  1. Wow I didn’t expect such a post. I love love love it!

    I had a lot of fun reading it and you made me love all the ones I didn’t mention on my lists, much more now.

    I want to watch them all again after reading hehehe

    Rope is not the same to me anymore...
    I used to find it funny but now it’s disturbing. How awful.

    Hahaha when we were watching The Night Walker I didn’t think you were that scared of Hayden Rorke because you were so quiet whenever he appeared on the screen hahahah now I know why.

    The photograph you used for The Hidden Hand scares me hahaha

    I do feel happy when I watch I Married A Witch and so do you hehe

    I think I’m going to read this post over and over again. I simply love your style, wording, how you rated them and everything!

    I’m so happy I challenged you so you can post these lovelies!


    ReplyDelete
  2. Hayden Rorke was too scary...weren’t you scared too? I didn’t want to look directly at him because I didn’t want his face to stay in my head or I would have trouble sleeping if I did hahahha.

    Thank you so much chuckaboo. I think next year I’ll post my answers separately and right after you post the challenge, I thought it’d be much easier to post all in one for some reason, but it definitely wasn’t hahah.

    I couldn’t find another picture of Milton Parsons...the rest were blurring and small. It was either this or a shot of him shocked in the coffin hahah...I chose this because he looks more like Alen Fang here hahahah!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahhaha yes he terrified me! I just kept quiet from the shock!

      No I love the way you posted! SO MUCH! It's much more fun but must be harder hehehe I can't wait to see your other challenges!

      Hehehe I wouldn't want you to post a different one anyway because it's the best hhahaha

      I'm rereading your post for the fifth time hehe

      Since I couldn't reply much yesterday, I'm writing another one hehehe

      Oh how I wish Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck had stayed together, you're right they made for a great couple on screen.

      I died laughing about Phyllis Kirk hahahha you described her acting to a T!

      I still can't get over The Desperate Hours, it's such a great film.

      Grace Kelly's role in Dial M For Murder infuriates me too. You made a very precise description of my feelings. Insane! hehe but you worded it in a way I could never express!

      Joan Crawford and Bette Davis together in a film was the best decision Hollywood ever made. I am so grateful for Robert Aldrich because it was also the best film to showcase their chemistry.

      Yes I love Olivia De Havilland but I too still cannot get over Crawford not doing her role in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte. What a shame that it could've been as popular as Baby Jane. Not that it isn't popular...

      Bette Davis's ability to portray to kinds of evil amazed me the first time I watch Dead Ringer too. That's true talent!

      Hehehe you made me want to watch the F.R.I.E.N.D.S episode. I am glad you added that bit to your descriptio because it made me chuckle after you killed me with the information before it!

      After watching Wait Until Dark today, I feel even more shocked that Audrey Hepburn didn't win an Oscar for her breathtaking performance.

      What's The Matter With Helen is definately on my favourites list. It was such a beautiful surprise.

      I love the way you described Gene Tierney hehe somehow I felt proud like that has anything to do with me hahahha

      What you wrote about Sudden Fear is a review unto itself. LOVE IT!

      Lumpy and Fred Rutherford hahahahha

      I don't know why reading about I Married A Witch made me emotional. I am so blessed to have you...

      Yes I love both shows. I used to think Martian got their idea from Jeannie but now I know it must've been the other way round hehhee

      You always think everything through. Whenever I post about something, I realise I forgot a lot of people after looking at your posts hehhe

      All the actors/actresses are my favourites for the genres too! And of course the directors are the same hahahha at least I got something right!

      Delete
    2. You couldn’t reply much? Are you kidding me riyaaaa?
      Thank you, I love your comment...it’s much better expressed than my post, but you’ll never admit to that hahha!!!
      I love you so much. Watching these films is the best with you. That’s why ‘Mildred Pierce’ is not on the list. We need to watch it together because I know we’ll love it...we should’ve waited and watched it together another time.
      I want to watch ‘Friends’ but maybe we should wait and start it again next year.
      I knew you’d feel that way reading what I wrote about Gene Tierney heheh. But it also shouldn’t be a shock because you know she’s one of my favourites already.

      Delete

Post a Comment