Scenes That I Love: Moses Parts The Red Sea In The Ten Commandments!


145 years ago, on this date, director Cecil B. DeMille was born in Ashfield, Massachusetts.  From the silent era until his death in 1959, DeMille was one of Hollywood’s superstar directors.  His films, which were often over the top and effective at the same time, helped to build the modern film industry.

Today’s scene that I love comes from DeMille’s final film.  From 1956’s The Ten Commandments, Moses parts the Red Sea.

(Please note, this video starts with a frozen image that lasts for about 12 seconds.)

Scenes I Love: Reggie Bannister in Phantasm


Rest in peace to the great Reggie Bannister.  After years of ill health, Bannister passed away on August 9th at the age of 80.

Reggie Bannister will always be remembered for his role as the same-named Reggie, the ice cream man in the Phantasm franchise.  For all the attention that was given to how scary Angus Grimm was, Reggie was the heart of the film.  Today’s scene that I love comes from 1979’s Phantasm.

Scenes That I Love: Billy Jack


Today would have been the 95th birthday of Tom Laughlin, the independent film pioneer who gave the world Billy Jack.

In honor of the day of his birth, here’s a scene that I love from 1971’s Billy Jack.  The townspeople think that they can get away with humiliating the students from the Freedom School.  Well, Billy Jack’s got something to say about that.

Who is Billy Jack?  He’s just a person who protects children and other living things.

Scenes That I Love: Sam Elliott and Patrick Swayze in Road House


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to Sam Elliott.  In this scene from the classic film Road House, Sam Elliott and Patrick Swayze have a heart-t0-heart.  Swayze’s Dalton has a past that can only be understood by Sam Elliott’s Wade Garrett.

Take it away, mijo.

Scenes That I Love: Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate


Today, the Shattered Lens wishes a happy birthday to the legendary Dustin Hoffman.  This scene that I love comes from 1967’s The Graduate and it features Hoffman delivering one of the greatest lines of all time.

Scene That I Love: Rebel Without A Cause


Since today is Nicholas Ray’s birthday, it seems appropriate to share a scene from Ray’s best-known film, 1955’s Rebel Without A Cause.  In this scene, a group of teens who can barely find happiness or peace on their own planet are asked to consider the wonders of the universe.

Scenes I Love: Robert Mitchum Throws A Punch In Out of the Past


The great Robert Mitchum was born, on this date, 108 years ago.  Today’s scene that I love comes from one of my favorite Mitchum films, the classic 1947 noir Out of the Past.

In this scene, we are reminded that no one was cooler than Robert Mitchum.  And no one threw a better punch.

Scenes That I Love: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre


Today’s scene that I love comes from John Huston’s 1948 masterpiece, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

In this scene, we meet Fred C. Dobbs (played by Humphrey Bogart) and we watch as he begs and scrounges for money.  The man in the white suit is played by John Huston himself.  This was Huston’s first acting role.  He would go on to be nominated for best supporting actor for his role in The Cardinal.  He would also give unforgettable performances in films like The Other Side of the Wind, The Visitor, and Chinatown.

 

Scenes That I Love: Apocalypse Now


Since today is Martin Sheen’s birthday, it seems appropriate that our scene that I love should come from one of Sheen’s most popular films.

1979’s Apocalypse Now is a film that is full of outstanding set pieces.  The scene where Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) reaches the Do Lung Bridge is one of the best moments in the film, a surreal portrayal of the futility of war.  The bridge is built every day and blown up every night.  In this scene, we see how good Sheen as it simply reacting to action around him.  It’s been said that a good actor has to be just as good at reacting as acting and, in this scene, Sheen shows himself to be one of the best.