greatest-ever-made's - Rented List
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Charles Dickens' tragic tale is vividly brought to life in one of director Thomas Bentley's most celebrated and unforgettable literary adaptations. "The Old Curiosity Shop" is the poignant story of Little Nell and her Grandfather, a humble shopkeeper struggling against the odds in difficult times. Whilst desperately trying to avoid poverty, Little Nell and her Grandfather fall prey to a deformed and vindictive moneylender named Quilp. In order to escape his evil grasp they are forced to flee London with the menacing Quilp in pursuit. But it is a journey paved with unforgiving adversity and devastating hardships. - Director:
- Thomas Bentley
- Cast:
- Elaine Benson, Ben Webster, Hay Petrie
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"Giant" is a movie of huge scale and grandeur in which three generations of land-rich Texans love, swagger, connive and clash in a saga of family strife, racial bigotry and conflict between cattle barons and newly rich oil tycoons. It's also one of the most beloved works of director George Stevens, who won an Academy Award for this film, one of 10 Oscar nominations the film earned. - Director:
- George Stevens
- Cast:
- Elizabeth Taylor, Nick Adams, Rock Hudson
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Former gangster's mistress, Sherry (Ginger Rogers), is moved from prison to a swanky hotel suite in the hope that she will testify against the dangerous mobster. In this gripping drama Sherry's dilemma is highlighted in vivid detail: testify and she faces assassination, remain silent and she will encounter the wrath of attorney Hallet (Edward G. Robinson). - Director:
- Phil Karlson
- Cast:
- Ginger Rogers, Edward G. Robinson, Brian Keith
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The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)George Stevens Presents The Greatest Story Ever Told
At the time of Rome's rule over Judea, Jesus (Max von Sydow) is born in a stable in Bethlehem. As a grown man, he preaches about his father's kingdom, gathers twelve disciples around him, performs miracles and is revered by the people as the long-awaited Messiah. Fearing for their position of power, the celebrated saviour is a thorn in the side of the Roman rulers and the Jewish priesthood: they have Jesus persecuted, arrested and sentenced to death on the cross. With his subsequent resurrection and ascension, he proves to humanity his identity as the Son of God. - Director:
- George Stevens
- Cast:
- Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton Heston
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"Roman Holiday" was nominated for ten Academy Awards, and Audrey Hepburn captured an Oscar for her portrayal of a modern-day princess, rebelling against the royal obligations, who explores Rome on her own. She meets Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck), an American newspaperman who, seeking an exclusive story, pretends ignorance of her true identity. But his plan falters as they fall in love. Eddie Albert contributes to the fun as Peck's carefree cameraman pal. - Director:
- William Wyler
- Cast:
- Gregory Peck, Audrey Hepburn, Eddie Albert
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East of Eden (1955)John Steinbeck's East of Eden
Based on John Steinbeck's novel and directed by Elia Kazan, 'East of Eden' is the first of three major films that make up James Dean's movie legacy. The 24-year-old idol-to-be plays Cal, a wayward Salinas Valley youth who vies for the affection of his hardened father (Raymond Massey) with his favoured brother Aron (Richard Davalos). - Director:
- Elia Kazan
- Cast:
- James Dean, Lou Marcelle, Raymond Massey
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"Life is a journey", George Stevens wrote in his wartime journal. "And it's always most interesting when you're not sure where you're going". Signposts marking Stevens' life journey are here in a celebration of his work, humanity and times. Created by George Stevens, Jr. , this moving portrait captures the moviemaker's career sweep from lighthearted early works to weightier postwar tales of social consciousness. The films explored are unforgettable: Alice Adams, Swing Time, Gunga Din, Shane, Giant, Stevens' own World War II footage (the only colour film of the European ground war) and six other classics. The interviews with over 20 actors and directors are captivating. The emotional impact is lasting. If you love movies, it's a journey well worth taking. - Director:
- George Stevens Jr.
- Cast:
- Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, Fred Astaire
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Things are different for the Pontipee men now that big brother Adam's fetched a bride and brought her to their cabin. Indeed, the unwed brothers are so inspired they raid the town and carry off brides of their own! Like a favourite flannel shirt, everything fits right in this rugged whoop-for-joy directed by Stanley Donen, choreographed by Michael Kidd and featuring an exhilerating Gene dePaul/Johnny Mercer score that won an Academy Award. Jane Powell and Howard Keel star, supported by a cast of buckskinned dancers and petticoated danseuses. And what steppin'! The barn-raising sequence alone - back-flipping, plank-leaping athleticism - leaves a daylong smile. "Bless Your Beautiful Hide", all you brides and brothers! - Director:
- Stanley Donen
- Cast:
- Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Jeff Richards
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The Mob (1951)Remember That Face / Waterfront
Police detective Damico (Broderick Crawford), outwitted by mob killer Blackie Clay, is nominally suspended; actually he goes undercover (as Tim Flynn, ex-con longshoreman) to find Clay and expose the waterfront rackets. In character, Damico throws his weight around so much that the mobsters try to get rid of him; surviving this, he begins to realise that few of those around him are what they seem. - Director:
- Robert Parrish
- Cast:
- Broderick Crawford, Betty Buehler, Richard Kiley
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A mysterious meteor shower occurs above a field in Cornwall, and a team of scientists led by Dr. Curtis Temple (Robert Hutton) is sent in to investigate. The scientists and local bystanders soon find themselves possessed by an alien force which wants to use them as slaves. No one is immune from the invasion except for Dr. Temple, who is shielded from the meteor's influence by a metal plate protecting his skull after a recent accident. He discovers that an alien race on the moon seeks to use the manipulated scientists for secret purposes. But, as Temple learns more about the invaders, he realises that they may not be as evil as he thought... - Director:
- Freddie Francis
- Cast:
- Robert Hutton, Jennifer Jayne, Zia Mohyeddin
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Karen (Audrey Hepburn) and Martha (Shirley MacLaine) are the headmistresses of an exclusive school for girls. When they discipline a malicious little girl, the vindictive child twists an overhead comment into slander and accuses her teachers of questionable behavior. Soon the scandalous gossip engulfs the school's community, with repercussions that are swift, crushing...and tragic. - Director:
- William Wyler
- Cast:
- Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner
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Framed (1947)They Walk Alone / Paula
Mike Lambert (Glenn Ford), unemployed mining engineer, arrives in a small town with a bang when the brakes fail on the truck he's driving. After meeting seductive Paula (Janis Carter) at the La Paloma Cafe, he finds himself in trouble with the law. On the basis of a few burning glances, Paula pays his fine and finds him a room, but her motives are not what they seem. Mike lucks into a job with miner Jeff Cunningham (Edgar Buchanan), but against his will he's drawn ever deeper into Paula's schemes. - Director:
- Richard Wallace
- Cast:
- Glenn Ford, Janis Carter, Barry Sullivan
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At the beginning of the Napoleonic wars; Phoebe Throssel waits patiently for Dr Valentine Brown (Franchot Tone, Phantom Lady) to propose marriage. She's devastated when he chooses to fight for king and country instead. Ten long years later, he returns to find Phoebe is - apparently - an old maid. Annoyed, she dresses in her prettiest clothes to prove him wrong; when Valentine doesn't recognise her in this glamorous disguise, Phoebe pretends to be her own niece, the flirtatious Livvy. Phoebe enjoys playing the tease but when 'Livvy' becomes the subject of scandalised gossip, it's clear she's gone too far. - Director:
- George Stevens
- Cast:
- Katharine Hepburn, Franchot Tone, Eric Blore
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Burgess Meredith plays a roving "man on the street" reporter asking the question "What influence has a baby had on your life"? Classic comedy follows when the screens finest stars James Stewart, Henry Fonda, Dorothy Lamour and Fred McMurray answer the question in their own way. Paulette Goddard also shines as Meredith's sharp and sexy wife. - Director:
- Leslie Fenton
- Cast:
- Paulette Goddard, James Stewart, Henry Fonda
- Formats:
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Double bill of American classic.
Gunga Din (1939)In 19th century India, Sgt. Archibald Cutter (Cary Grant) with his group of soldiers and a native waterbearer, must stop a secret mass revival of the murderous Thuggee cult before it can rampage across the land in this epic war adventure.
The Toast of New York (1937)
Just before the Civil War, Nick Boyd (Cary Grant) and his chums decide to con the Southern townsfolk into buying bars of soap that might have a $10 gold piece inside. However, they soon get found out and are chased out of town and escape across the border just as the war starts in this riotous comedy.- Director:
- George Stevens
- Cast:
- Cary Grant, Joan Fontaine, Victor McLaglen
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