Scene of the Day: Annie Hall

As of 1977, filmgoers had seen no less than ten years of Woody Allen's wacky comedies on film, but "Annie Hall" was probably the first time they saw his famously neurotic onscreen persona. In one scene of "Annie Hall," Allen (as Alvy Singer) complains to his friend, Rob (Tony Roberts), about the antisemitic comments he sometimes thinks he hears people mutter to him. Watch this hilarious scene with me now.

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Scene of the Day: The Grapes of Wrath

The "scene of the day" comes from John Ford's 1940 masterpiece, "The Grapes of Wrath," a close adaptation of John Steinbeck's 1939 novel. When the Joads finally arrive in California and find their first Hooverville, a point-of-view tracking shot bleakly reveals the poverty and weariness surrounding them. This powerful shot, one of my favorites on film, has a documentary sensibility that seems to authenticate this cinematic story of the Great Depression. Watch it with me now.

NOTE: Unfortunately, I could not find a better clip on YouTube than the one I am posting. (The film is unavailable.) Watch this clip only from 2:08 to 2:16, and do not turn the sound on, please. I have not listened to this review, so I cannot say that it is my own opinion nor that I agree with it. I simply want you to get an image of the "scene of the day."

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Scene of the Day: Psycho

(But it's not the shower scene! Sorry, dear reader.)

Since I will likely be driving a long distance today while it pours outside, I thought this scene would be the most appropriate for a "scene-of-the-day." Indeed, a sinister smile might cross my face as I think in voice-over about the people I leave behind... In fact, I might just stop at the Bates Motel for a night.

Watch with me now this scene from Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece, "Psycho," where Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) continues her escape from Phoenix to reach her lover (John Gavin) with the $40,000 she stole.

(NOTE: I, however, have not stolen $40,000. No need to call the police.)



UPDATE: I was followed closely for about 45 minutes during my trip by an SUV with Jefferson County, Kentucky tags. Seriously... paranoia. How appropriate.

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Scene of the Day: It Happened One Night

In this scene, one of my favorites from Frank Capra's "It Happened One Night," Peter Warne (Clark Gable) teaches Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) how to hitchhike. As an "expert," he humorously shows her three different styles of using the thumb to get a ride, but then he fails miserably in practice with all three. After his defeat, Ellie decides to show him how to really get a ride, so she reveals her leg to passers-by, one of whom stops immediately and skids to a halt in his excitement.

Please watch this hilarious, memorable scene with me now.

*watch it from the beginning to the 2:36 mark*

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Scene of the Day: BUtterfield 8

Today's "scene of the day" is one of my favorites of all-time. The opening scene from 1960's "BUtterfield 8," starring the iconic Elizabeth Taylor, features her, a model named Gloria Wandrous, wandering around the apartment of recent sexual conquest Weston Liggett (Laurence Harvey). She drinks brandy, slips on a slinky nightie, and ogles herself in the mirror. Because her clothes had been ripped the night before, she dons his wife's lavish fur coat. When she suddenly looks down at a dresser and discovers Liggett has left her money like a hooker, she becomes infuriated and angrily writes "NO SALE" in lipstick on his mirror.

See it after the jump.

*See the "scene of the day" from the beginning to right around the 1:40 mark. The "NO SALE" part of the sequence is left out and would come between 1:40 and 1:41, but it is pictured above for your convenience. Also, I advise you to mute your computer's sound because someone has tampered with the original clip, and it is better enjoyed, even if just the picture. I lament the original version is not available on YouTube.*

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Scene of the Day: It's a Wonderful Life

Just before this scene, George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) has realized all of the lives he has positively affected and everything that is truly important to him, courtesy of guardian angel Clarence, who has taken George to see a darker world without his presence. Upon his return, he races across Bedford Falls admist the falling snow to find his family. Having been morose and feeling downtrodden due to his impending arrest over misplaced money, his anxieties have been lifted when he rediscovers what is truly important - family and friends who are happy to lend a hand (all because of the unselfish favors he has consistently offered them for years prior).

Watch this magical, touching, and endearing scene with me now...

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Scene of the Day: Blazing Saddles

Already considered one of the funniest comedies of all-time by such reputable sources as the American Film Institute (AFI's 100 Years... 100 Laughs), Mel Brooks' 1974 classic "Blazing Saddles" really doubles me over during Lili Von Schtupp's (Madeline Kahn) "I'm Tired" performance. With the right amount of familiarity with the 1930's Hollywood films of Marlene Dietrich, "I'm Tired" becomes a riotous experience, playfully mimicking the half-talking, half-singing style of the famous German import. Watch now as Kahn wreaks havoc on your funny bone in this classic comic sequence...

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Scene of the Day: Of Human Bondage

Continuing with the persistent series of Bette Davis idolatry, today's "scene of the day" comes from RKO's 1934 "Of Human Bondage," a film that propelled Bette Davis to stardom while on loan from Warner Brothers (I've discussed it before). In this scene, Philip (Leslie Howard) tells selfish, manipulative Mildred (Davis), "You disgust me," to which she responds with the fervor and dramatics synonymous with her acting. I enjoy the fire in her eyes as she flails wildly about, shouting, "You cad! You dirty swine!"

Watch this classic scene with me now...

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Scene of the Day: The Little Foxes

Director William Wyler's last film endeavor with legendary actress Bette Davis was 1941's "The Little Foxes," which transformed Lillian Hellman's play into a critical (count the Oscar nominations) and commerical success. The most memorable scene of the entire film (and a Bette Davis classic) is the one in which her ill husband, Horace (Herbert Marshall), suffers a heart attack and requires his medicine. Realizing the serendipitous cards she is dealt in allowing him to amble toward the staircase to his death, she sits harrowingly transfixed with a stark look of combined excitement and horror on her face, interpreted through her slowly turning head and her remarkable eyes, notoriously wide.

Watch this classic scene with me...

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Scene of the Day: Five Easy Pieces

In this unforgettable scene from "Five Easy Pieces," Jack Nicholson just wants to order some toast with his meal. Unfortunately for him, a grouchy, uncongenial waitress continues to prevent him from ordering his side toast until he cooly thinks of a loophole where he can order a chicken sandwich and get the toasted bread if she "holds" its contents. When she figures out his trick, his response is among the funniest lines on film.

Enjoy this classic scene with me now:

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Scene of the Day: Funny Girl

Today's "scene of the day" comes from one of my favorite films - William Wyler's 1968 "Funny Girl," starring the lovely Barbra Streisand. My favorite scene of the film is the showstopping "Don't Rain on My Parade," which occurs right at the end of act one (it is a long movie). Experience with me again the emotion that charges through her voice as she runs across the station, having changed her mind about her husband, then soak in the magic of the climactic aerial shot featuring Barbra belting the final notes of the song as she rides the steamer... (Forgive the French subtitles, as well. It was the best I could do.)

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Scene of the Day: Austin Powers

Today's "scene of the day" comes from 1999's "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." The scene I had intended to find was when Dr. Evil's spy, model Ivana Humpalot, plays a seductive game of chess with Austin Powers, but I could not find it in the English language on Youtube. Its replacement is the preceding scene... Austin photographs models Rebecca Romijn (in a guest appearance, pre-Stamos) and Ivana Humpalot in a hysterically unbelievable shoot. It is just so funny... Enjoy with me.

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