If I really like a movie, I will watch it again and again. Some aspects of movies that catch my attention are plot, costumes, and acting. I love movies that really immerse the audience into that time period, place, or storyline. Two movies that I really enjoy are “Gone With the Wind” (1939) and “The Man Who Knew Too Much” (1956).
“Gone With the Wind” tells the story of a young girl, Scarlett O’Hara, living in the south during the Civil War. The movie depicts Scarlett’s growth as she goes through personal struggles and the challenges of dealing with the Civil War. The costumes and the set dressing bring the viewer back in time to Georgia during the Civil War. When the movie first opens, Scarlett and her family are dressed very nicely and it is apparent that they are well off. As the story progresses, their situation becomes dire due to the war and this can be seen in the costuming. The plot of “Gone With The Wind” helps to bring together Scarlett’s personal life and how the war affects her family. In one scene, she goes against her morals to help save her friend’s life and her family’s few belongings. This depicts a change in Scarlett because in the beginning of the movie, she will not even sacrifice her dress when her sister wants to wear it.
Below is a modern montage of scenes from "Gone With the Wind"
“The Man Who Knew Too Much,” directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a remake of an earlier film of the same name. It is about a couple and their young son who go on vacation in Morocco. While there, their son is kidnapped. The couple ends up following a lead to London, where they eventually find their son. Alfred Hitchcock is a genius at suspense, and this movie is proof.
The plot of this movie is very compelling because the viewers feel like they are with the couple trying to find their son. Throughout the movie, the mother, played by Doris Day, sings a song to her son. The song, “Que Sera Sera,” is later heard in a pivotal scene of the movie. When the couple finds out where their son is being held captive, they go to a party at the house where their son has been taken. Doris Day performs for the party and sings “Que Sera Sera” knowing that her son will recognize her song and her voice. Sure enough, he recognizes his mother’s singing and is found. At the time of release for this movie, Doris Day was one of the most popular contemporary singers. “Que Sera Sera” was introduced in this movie and later became one of her greatest hits.
This is a clip of Doris Day singing in the movie:
These are two of my favorite movies and the characteristics that I look for in movies are very apparent in both. Both of these movies are classics because of their great story lines, acting, and production.
