Tag Archives: Scenes I Love

Scenes That I Love: The Mirror Scene From Duck Soup

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Believe it or not, when Duck Soup was initially released in 1933, it was considered to be something of a failure.  Especially when compared to previous Marx Brothers films, it was seen as being a box office disappointment.  The critics didn’t care much for it, either.  They felt that the film’s political satire was preposterous and tasteless.  Critics in 1933 attacked Duck Soup for being a cynical, anti-government satire released during the Great Depression.

Of course, today, Duck Soup is justifiably viewed as being a classic comedy.  It’s certainly my favorite Marx Brothers film.  In the classic scene below, Harpo pretends to be Groucho’s reflection in a shattered mirror.  It’s a marvelous piece of physical humor so enjoy it!

Scenes That I Love: The Martians Attack In The War Of The Worlds

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today’s scene that I love comes from the 1953 film, The War of the Worlds.

It’s a scene that perfectly establishes the fact that, in this film, humanity has no hope when it comes to defeating the Martians that have invaded the planet.  Trying to reason with them, as Uncle Matthew does, is useless.  Trying to fight them, as the army does, is useless.  Matthew is atomized as he approaches in peace.  The tough and plain-spoken military man — a reassuring authority figure in so many 50s films — is destroyed as he orders everyone out of the bunker.  The Martians, meanwhile, are unstoppable and, even worse, they are without mercy or concern for the people that they are destroying.

Seriously, this is a frightening scene when viewed today!  I can only imagine how it traumatized audiences in 1953!  After watching this scene, all I can say is Thank God for the common cold.

Scenes That I Love: The Cemetery Scene From It’s A Wonderful Life

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

I love It’s A Wonderful Life and I’m looking forward to watching it many times over the upcoming week. To me, it’s the rare example of a perfect film.

Below is one of the more somber but important scenes from It’s A Wonderful Life. George (James Stewart) and Clarence (Henry Travers) go to what would have been Bailey Park if George had been born. Instead, it’s now a cemetery and buried there is George’s brother, who would have died if George hadn’t been born. And, as Clarence explains, every man that George’s brother saved would have died as well. “Each man’s life touches so many other lives,” as Clarence puts it.

Here is a scene from a wonderful movie called It’s A Wonderful Life.

Holiday Scenes That I Love: The U.S. Postal Service Proves The Existence of Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street!

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Is there a Santa Claus?

Well, if you’ve ever seen the original 1947 Miracle on 34th Street than you already know the answer.  There is a Santa Claus and he looks exactly like Edmund Gwenn!

In this scene, Kris Kringle is on trial.  He swears that he is Santa Claus.  The prosecution claims that not only isn’t he Santa Claus but Santa doesn’t exist at all.  Fortunately, it’s the U.S. Post Service to the rescue!

The original Miracle on 34th Street is true Christmas classic and I hope you enjoy this holiday scene that I love.

Scenes That I Love: The Courtroom Scene From A Few Good Men

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

For today’s scene that I love, I decided to pick from the only Rob Reiner-directed film to be nominated for Best Picture of the Year, 1992’s A Few Good Men.

This scene features great work from two legitimate film stars, Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.  It’s also the type of potentially stagey scene that would have proved problematic for a lot of other directors.  Rob Reiner, however, handled it perfectly.

Scene That I Love: Mr. Pink On Tipping (from Reservior Dogs)

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Happy birthday, Steve Buscemi!

In today’s scene of the day, from 1992’s Reservoir Dogs, Mr. Pink explains why he doesn’t tip.  Only Steve Buscemi could make a non-tipper named Mr. Pink into the film’s most likable character.

Scenes That I Love: Betsy Palmer in Friday the 13th

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

Today would have been the 99th birthday of actress Betsy Palmer.

Though Palmer started her acting career in 1951 and was a regular on television, she will always be best known for playing Mrs. Voorhees in 1980’s Friday the 13th.  It’s a role that she took, in her own words, because she needed $10,000 to buy a new car.  At the time that the film was first released, Palmer did not particularly care for the film but she also definitely also gave the best performance.  It’s impossible to imagine that the film would have been as much of a success without her.  The scene where she speaks in the voice of Jason inspired Harry Manfredini’s iconic score.  Palmer eventually came to embrace her status of being a horror icon.

Today’s scene of the day comes from Friday the 13th.  Here is Betsy Palmer as Mrs. Voorhees, an old friend of the Christys.

Scenes that I Love: Kirk Douglas in Paths of Glory

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

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: Franco Nero Opens The Coffin in Django

Posted on by Lisa Marie Bowman

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.