greatest-ever-made's - Rented List
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Dorothy Arzner, the sole woman to work as a director in the Hollywood studio system of the 1930's and early '40's, brings a subversive feminist sensibility to this juicily entertaining backstage melodrama. A behind-the-footlights look at friendship, jealousy, and ambition in the ruthless world of show business, 'Dance, Girl, Dance' follows the intertwining fates of two chorus girls: a starry-eyed dancer (Maureen O'Hara) who dreams of making it as a ballerina, and the brassy gold digger (a scene-stealing Lucille Ball) who becomes her rival both on the stage and in love. The rare Hollywood picture of the era to deal seriously with issues of female artistic struggle and self-actualization, Arzner's film is a rich, fascinating statement from an auteur decades ahead of her time. - Director:
- Dorothy Arzner
- Cast:
- Maureen O'Hara, Louis Hayward, Lucille Ball
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'I See a Dark Stranger' is a suspense-filled, highly entertaining spy drama about a highly-strung Irish girl, Bridie Quilty (Deborah Kerr) whose father delights in spinning tall tales about his role in the 1916 uprising against the English. When Bridie comes of age she decides to leave her rural home and seek out the IRA, but she unwittingly falls in with a German spy called Miller (Raymond Huntley), believing that he is part of the IRA. Miller recruits Bridie and finds her a job working in a sleepy village pub near a British military prison. Aware of her stunning good looks, Miller asks Bridie to use her sex appeal in order to gather information from the servicemen that will allow him to spring a dangerous Nazi from prison. But when British Army Officer David Byrne (Trevor Howard) arrives in the village to recuperate, he falls in love with the quarrelsome Bridie. Suspicious that Byrne is an intelligence officer Miller decides that Byrne needs to be eliminated and asks Bridie to help him... - Director:
- Frank Launder
- Cast:
- Deborah Kerr, Trevor Howard, Raymond Huntley
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The Horseman on the Roof (1995)Le hussard sur le toit
From the director of Cyrano de Bergerac comes an equally sumptuous epic that was the most expensive French production of its time. In the midst of the 19th century, Italian soldier Angelo has escaped his Austrian enemies and fled to rural France where an outbreak of cholera sweeps the land. Aided by a beautiful noblewoman he vows to protect her as she searches for her missing husband. As they embark on a thrilling and perilous quest they struggle to contain their growing feelings for each other. Filled with action, passion and breathtaking cinematography, The Horseman on the Roof is cinema at its best. - Director:
- Jean-Paul Rappeneau
- Cast:
- Olivier Martinez, Juliette Binoche, Pierre Arditi
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The quintessential Marx Brothers comedy. Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and yes, Zeppo, are at their manic peak in this uproariously anarchic parody of college life. As the fan-loving president of Huxley College, Groucho tries to keep the student body in line while attempting to keep his own body near a flirtatious floozie (Thelma Todd) who is secretly trying to rig the big football game between Huxley and arch rival Darwin University. Plot aside, and it usually is, Horse Feathers contains some of the greatest sequences in movie comedy history, including a classic schoolroom shoot-out between Groucho and students Harpo and Chico, as wed as an unforgettable football game finale. Other gems include each brother offering his personal rendition of "Everyone Says I Love You" and a speak-easy sequence that will forever give meaning to the word "swordfish". - Director:
- Norman Z. McLeod
- Cast:
- Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx
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Is Paris Burning? (1966)Gori li Pariz?
The explosive, courage-filled story of the Allied Resistance and the Paris Liberation of 1944. As the Nazi jackboot marches through Europe, the freedom fighters of Paris mount a brave resistance. An insane and desperate Hitler sends a top general to determine if the Nazis can hold the city. If not, Paris will be burned. With a powerful script by Gore Vidal and Francis Ford Coppola, this epic film boasts an international cast of screen legends, including Jean-Paul Belmondo, Kirk Douglas, Yves Montand, Leslie Caron, Anthony Perkins and Orson Welles. 'Is Paris Burning?' is a staggering portrait of heroism and brotherhood, and one of the most riveting stories to come out of World War II - Director:
- René Clément
- Cast:
- Jean-Paul Belmondo, Charles Boyer, Leslie Caron
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The mysterious but kindly solicitor Mr. Blunden (Laurence Naismith) visits Mrs. Allen (Dorothy Alison) and her young children, offering her the position of caretaker at a derelict country mansion. More surprises are in store when the children encounter the ghosts of two former young residents and find themselves transported back in time to help their new friends right a 100-year-old wrong. - Director:
- Lionel Jeffries
- Cast:
- Laurence Naismith, Graham Crowden, Dorothy Alison
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Touchez Pas Au Grisbi (1954)Honour Among Thieves
Max (Jean Gabin) and Riton (Rene Dary) are two ageing gangsters who manage to pull off their final heist, a spectacular gold bullion robbery at Orly airport. All is well until Max's former girlfriend Josy (Jeanne Moreau) tips off a rival gangster, Angelo (Lino Ventura). The latter kidnaps Riton and threatens to kill him unless Max hands over the spoils from his robbery... - Director:
- Jacques Becker
- Cast:
- Jean Gabin, René Dary, Dora Doll
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A scintillating Alastair Sim plays Hawkins, a timid watchmaker with a part time job - he is also a professional assassin who bumps off all the people we love to hate. But when pompous MP Sir Gregory Upshott (Raymond Huntley) is the intended target, bungling vacuum-cleaner salesman William Blake (George Cole) always gets in the way. As the time of the assassination draws ever closer, Hawkins tracks his victim to a dilapidated seaside hotel called The Green Man, the laughs and the tension steadily rise to a brilliant climax. - Director:
- Robert Day
- Cast:
- Alastair Sim, George Cole, Terry-Thomas
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Le Trou (1960)The Night Watch / The Hole
1947. A young man, Gaspard Claude (Marc Michel), is convicted for the attempted murder of his wife, although he is innocent of the crime. He is sent to the notorious Sante Prison in Paris and is placed in a cell with four hardened criminals. The latter have decided to escape from the prison by digging their way out of their cell. Reluctantly, they take Gaspard into their confidence and labour digging their way out of their cell. Then, just when escape appears certain, Gaspard is called away to see the prison governor... - Director:
- Jacques Becker
- Cast:
- André Bervil, Jean Keraudy, Michel Constantin
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Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar
Take a trip and break out of your shell with Barb (Annie Mumolo) and Star (Kristen Wiig) . From the gals who brought you 'Bridesmaids' (co-stars and co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo) comes to 'Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar'. Lifelong friends Barb and Star embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they decide to leave their small Midwestern town for the first time…ever. Romance, friendship, and a villain's evil plot…Hold onto your culottes! - Director:
- Josh Greenbaum
- Cast:
- Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan
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Red Ensign (1934)Strike!
Britain, 1933, David Barr (Leslie Banks) is an ambitious ship designer working at the Glasgow shipbuilders Burns, McKinnon&Co. Barr has a radical new ship design that he believes will revolutionise the British shipbuilding industry which is suffering from both foreign competition and economic depression. Barr however faces opposition from his own Board of directors, led by Lord Dean (Frank Vosper), who are hesitant with the investment required to fund his plans to build 20 ships. Dean would prefer a partnership with rival shipbuilder, Manning (Alfred Drayton), who Barr despises due to his use of foreign registries. With the support of chief shareholder June MacKinnon (Carol Goodner) Barr embarks on his ambitious plans but will he see his ships launched in the face of fierce resistance from his bankers and militant workers and in the face of industrial espionage? - Director:
- Michael Powell
- Cast:
- Leslie Banks, Carol Goodner, Frank Vosper
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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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