Before the word ‘cool’ was part of the American vernacular James Dean defined it. Rebel Without a Cause was the antidote to the clean-cut, cardigan wearing teenager of the ’50s, and became an icon to all those who opposed the establishment. With the help of archival photographs mixed with rare screen and wardrobe tests, this video shows a private side of the Hollywood legend who died far too young. Highlights include home movies and interviews with such famed actors as Julie Harris, Dennis Hopper, Sal Mineo, Rip Torn, Eli Wallach, Rod Steiger, Beverly Long and Joanne Woodward.
rarefilmm | The Cave of Forgotten Films Posts
Filmmaker Joram ten Brink owes his existence to a letter flung from a train bound for the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz over 70 years ago. The letter to his grandparents from their 16 year old son, Leo, who was murdered soon afterwards, was written in Dutch under the eyes of Nazi guards. Yet hidden in the text was a single Yiddish word, “weyiverig”, meaning: “HIDE YOURSELVES!” It was enough to persuade the Jewish ten Brink family to flee and set in motion a rescue to compare with the inspiring story of Anne Frank.
Composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim whose works include such Broadway hits as “A Little Night Music”, “Company” and “Follies”, talks about the origin of a song from his latest Broadway musical, “Pacific Overtures”. On camera with him are film critic Frank Rich and John Weidman author of “Pacific Overtures” as a straight play who expanded it to the musical book for the show. A highlight of the program is the performance of the song “Someone in a Tree.” with Sondheim at the piano sung by Mako, James Dybas, Geddie Watanbe and Mark Hsu Syers the men who sing it on the Broadway stage.
Poet-playwright-teacher, Kenneth Koch, author of “Wishes, Lies and Dreams,” an anthology of children’s poetry, shows how children can write poetry. He explains his teaching techniques and demonstrates the writing of poetry with a group of children utilizing the possibilities in a television studio.
Virgil is a young man of 16, without complex, ready to devour the life. He is at the turning point when we go from adolescence to adulthood, where he must face the future, love. It does not happen without clashes (with his father in particular), without tenderness (with the Arquebus, the grandmother) and without trouble, facing Clara, a young woman older than him with whom he falls in love. But Virgil’s goal is above all to go through life so as to never regret anything.
Two professional people marry, but the wife insists that they be celibate for the first three months, just to see if they are truly compatible. The husband tries various tricks to lure his wife into bed, but she trumps his every serve. Finally, when she is ready for love, he isn’t, having contracted a bad case of poison oak.
An animated collage of the director’s favorite things, in a variety of animation styles. Among the things are large-eyed children, unicorns, flowers, and many more.
Beatles’ “significance” pushed to the breaking point in this bizarre documentary that juxtaposes their songs (sung by a number of rock stars) with World War II newsreel footage. Helen Reddy sings “Fool On The Hill” while Hitler relaxes at Bertchtesgaden, and Rod Stewart husks “Get Back” while Nazi troops goose step.