Actor/writer/director John Cassavetes was born on this day in 1929. While he had an amazing career, I first saw him in his Oscar nominated performance as doomed military convict Victor Franko in THE DIRTY DOZEN. In celebration of what would have been his 96th birthday, enjoy this scene from Director Robert Aldrich’s classic World War II film! All I can say is, if you’re going to get your ass kicked in a movie, you might as well get it kicked by Charles Bronson, Jim Brown and Clint Walker!
Category Archives: Scenes I Love
Scenes that I Love: Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory
Today’s scene that I love comes from 1957’s Paths of Glory. In this scene, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) fights a losing battle to save the lives of three soldiers who have been accused of cowardice after refusing to take part in a suicidal attack during World War I.
Douglas not only starred in this film but his also production company also helped to finance it. The film was co-written and directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Scenes That I Love: David Bowie and Bing Crosby Sing A Duet in Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas
In this scene from Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas, David Bowie stops by the home of his old friend, Sir Percival Crosby, and meets Sir Percy’s long-lost American relative, Bing Crosby! A discussion of modern music and parenting techniques leads to them performing a duet of Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy.
This was Bing’s final Christmas special and he died just five weeks after filming completed. This scene is a holiday classic and has been described. by the Washington Post, as “one of the most successful duets in Christmas music history.”
When asked about David Bowie, Bing said he was “clean-cut kid and a real fine asset to the show. He sings well, has a great voice and reads lines well.”
Enjoy!
A Scene That I Love: Fred Astaire Says It With Firecrackers In Holiday Inn
When Holiday Inn went into production in 1941, this song and dance was not originally a part of the script. It was added after the attack on Pearl Harbor so that the film could have a patriotic dance number. Fred Astaire did 38 takes of this scene and later auctioned off his shoes to help raise money for the war effort.
Scenes That I Love: Franco Nero Opens The Coffin in Django
In this scene, from Sergio Corbucci’s Django, the film’s title character (played by my man, Franco Nero) reveals what’s actually in the coffin that he’s been dragging from town to town.
Scenes I Love: The Cross-Examination From Anatomy of a Murder
Since today is Otto Preminger’s birthday, I figured that this would be a good time to share a scene that I love from one of my favorite movies, Preminger’s 1959 film, Anatomy of a Murder.
In this scene, prosecutor Claude Dancer (played, in one of his first screen roles, by George C. Scott) cross-examined Laura Manion (Lee Remick), the wife of a man who has been accused of murder. Playing the role of the defense attorney is James Stewart. This scene is a master-class in great acting. Preminger could be a bit of an inconsistent director but his willingness to take on controversial subjects set him apart from many of his contemporaries. When he had the right material, as he did here, he could create the perfect mix of melodrama and art. Preminger’s best films, like Anatomy of a Murder, stand the test of time.
Holiday Scenes I Love: Will Ferrell Freaks Out Over Santa in Elf
This is one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite Christmas movies.
We should all be as excited and happy for the holidays as Will Ferrell is in Elf.
Scene That I Love: Jean-Luc Godard’s Alphaville
Today, in honor of what would have been the birthday of French director Jean-Luc Godard’s birthday, our scene of the day comes from Godard Alphaville, a 1965 film that mixed philosophy with science fiction and film noir.
Let’s talk about love.
Holiday Scenes That I Love: The Goodfellas Celebrate Christmas
Goodfellas is totally a Christmas movie!
A Scene That I Love: Charlie Brown Gets The Seasonal Blues In A Charlie Brown Christmas
Charlie Brown isn’t the only one who gets sad around the holidays.
A lot of people do. I’m one of them. I love Christmas but I still get sad thinking about those who are no longer with us and that another year is coming to an end. I know that this holiday, just like last year, is going to be especially difficult for many people around the world. Don’t be ashamed if you’re feeling down this month. You’re not alone.
In this scene that I love, Charlie Brown is feeling down for the holidays too but he finds someone to talk to. Unfortunately, that person is Lucy. However, sometimes it’s most important just to have someone to talk to.
This year, I hope Lucy finally gets her real estate.
Through the Shattered Lens 