One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!***
145. Gone with the Wind (1939) (Directed by Victor Fleming)
The Movie: It’s the eve of the Civil War and at the O’Hara’s cotton plantation we meet Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) who is fawning over Ashley Wilkes (Leslie Howard) and learns of his impending marriage to her cousin Melanie Hamilton (Olivia de Havilland).
At an engagement party the following day, Scarlett is rejected by Ashley, but Rhett Butler (Clark Gable) has been taken by Scarlett’s beauty. When the men at the party hear of President Lincoln’s call for volunteers, the men instead leave the party to fight for the Confederacy.
In a way to get back at not only Ashley but Melanie, Scarlett marries Melanie’s younger brother Charles (Rand Brooks). Charles is killed in battle and in an act of defiance, Scarlett dances with Rhett while in mourning attire.
After many of the men in Scarlett’s town of Tara now dead from the war and the tide of the war turning in favor of the Union, Melanie gives birth and Rhett leaves to fight in the war.
Scarlett returns home and finds that her town deserted. The only ones still there are her father, sisters and her slaves Mammy (Hattie McDaniel) and Pork (Oscar Polk). Scarlett’s mother is dead and her father has lost his mind, Scarlett makes a vow to ensure her family survives the war.
The war is over and the Confederacy has lost (good) and Ashley returns, confesses his love for Scarlett which leads to them kissing. Ashley however tells Scarlett he will not leave Melanie. The O’Hara’s, unable to pay taxes must find a way to. Scarlett marries Frank Kennedy (Carroll Nye) who was to marry her sister Suellen.
Frank however is killed in a shanty town, and after his funeral Rhett proposes to Scarlett, she accepts.
Rhett and Scarlett have a child together named Bonnie Blue. Scarlett however is not happy and still cares a torch for Ashley. She also refuses to have any more children or share a bed with Rhett. This leads to more backstabbing within the family, which culminates at Ashley’s birthday party. Rhett gets drunk and he argues with Scarlett over Ashley. Rhett forcibly kisses Scarlett and carries her up the stairs.
Appalled by his behavior Rhett asks for a divorce, which Scarlett denies. Rhett leaves for England, and when he returns, Scarlett informs him that she is pregnant. They argue, and Scarlett falls down the stairs and suffers a miscarriage.
Scarlett is slowly recovering for her miscarriage when her other daughter, Bonnie Blue dies riding a horse. More tragedies strike as Melanie is dying from complications of her pregnancy. Scarlett consoles Ashley and Rhett decides he is going to leave Atlanta. Scarlett begs him to stay as she realizes that she loved Rhett all along, not Ashley. Rhett is not persuaded and rides out of town.
Why I Love Gone with the Wind: Despite its many problems, Gone with the Wind is Golden Age Hollywood at its most epic. Clocking in at nearly 4 hours, the film soars with drama and romance.
The film is legendary for a reason and it is a triumph of cinema. And while it can be hard to get over the sympathetic view of the Confederacy and the haphazard approach to slavery, it doesn’t take away from the sheer power of the film.
Clark Gable commands the screen as Rhett. His presence elevates his character, and despite some rather questionable character moments he is easy to fall in love with.
Vivien Leigh too is very good as the love sick, hopeless romantic Scarlett O’Hara. And she too has some not desirable character traits, her charm helps make her less desirable moments melt away.
How this film came together is also legendary. From false starts to changing of the director from George Cukor to Victor Fleming, who had to take a break due to exhaustion. The producer on the film, David O. Selznick also delayed the start of production for nearly two years waiting for Gable to be available.
The film is also notable for Hattie McDaniel’s Academy Award winning role as Mammy. She became the first African-American to win an Oscar. The premiere of the film was a slap in the face to Ms. McDaniel as she wasn’t allowed to attend it due to it being in segregated Atlanta. David O. Selznick asked if she could, and Clark Gable refused to go unless McDaniel could attend. McDaniel however convinced Gable to attend and he did reluctantly.
Despite its length and flaws, Gone with the Wind is a true Hollywood epic. A landmark film that is a grand rose colored look at Southern life during the Civil War.