Monday, September 13, 2010

My Favorite Forgotten Movies

My computer is currently undergoing psychological counseling from a feng-shui attack (don't ask me what that means, because I don't know). The point is, Colorado pics are still on deck, but next up to bat will be a list of movies I am dying to get on DVD but they are nowhere to be found.

Or, they can be found, but on VHS only, or in snippets on YouTube, or on overlypriced, poorly-dubbed copies. I don't understand it, because these are very good movies which surely deserve more DVD manufacturing time than Glitter or Gigli. Be sure to click on the movie posters to see a clip of the movie on YouTube.

Westward The Women (1951), starring Robert Taylor

I've talked about this movie on here before, but I don't care. Everyone should know about this movie. Everyone should see this movie. Set in the old west, the Westward the Women is about a wagon train of women traveling to California in search of their husbands and a new life. While the plot summary might sound a bit anti-feminist, the movie portrays the strength these woman have (and must have had in real life) to endure mental and physical hardships.


Scavenger Hunt (1979), starring Cloris Leachman, Tony Randall, Richard Mulligan, Roddy McDowall, and Cleavon Little (the sheriff in Blazing Saddles).


Vincent Price plays excentric game creator "Milton Parker" whose will dictates that whomever completes a scavenger hunt will inherit his vast fortune. The potential inheritors divide into teams and run all over town trying to find the items on the list, such as a toilet, a microscope, a suit of armor, and an ostrich. Hilarity ensues.

My sister and I would quote this one all the time as well, especially when the household servants' team manages to destoy their toilet during a high-speed chase. The maid, "Babette,"had named the toilet and goes on to mourn "Poor Montclair" in her French accent.

Believe me, it's just funny as all get out, ok?


The Rounders (1965), starring Glenn Ford and Henry Fonda

(No YouTube play available). I remember watching this movie with my mom and sister and we'd all laugh so hard. The plot is a bit lacking, but Ford and Fonda, plus the little roan horse sure save it. It also gives a nice glimpse into the 1960's cowboy lifestyle. Fonda's character "Howdy" has one of the best movie lines: "Whatever suits you just tickles me plum to death."

I've repeated it often, but have never been able to pull the line off like Fonda did.


3 Godfathers (1948), starring John Wayne


This movie is probably one of the least-known John Wayne westerns, but it is no less worthy than Rooster Cogburn or Big Jake (those who know this movie will know why I singled it out). Three outlaws escaping into the desert after a bank robbery happen across an abandoned wagon where a dying woman has just given birth. They promise the woman that they will save her baby and end up sacrificing their own lives and freedom to carry out that promise.


The Villain (1979), starring Kirk Douglas, Ann-Margret and Arnold Schwarzenegger


This is truly one of the funniest, most ridiculous movies ever (in a good way). Rather than summarize the plot, I'll just tell you the character's names: Cactus Jack, Handsome Stranger, Charming Jones and a horse named Whiskey.

That is all you need to know. Now watch them. That's an order. You'll thank me for it later. You can get me a seven-shot six-shooter to repay me. Why? No reason....

1 comment:

Jennifer MacNeill said...

That last movie looks like a joke - I have never heard of it. Too funny!