Breaking the Code: Boxed Set Directors

I've been playing around with images and doing some image research. I decided that in the booklet that goes with the boxed set, that the directors would appear in profile as a sort of stamp. Their presence is kind of vague but its also like they gave their seal of approval of sorts. Anyways, I just like how they look.

Otto Preminger ~ Anatomy of a Murder (1959)

Elia Kazan ~ Baby Doll (1956)

Charles Laughton ~ The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Joseph L. Mankiewicz ~ Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

Nunnally Johnson ~ The Three Faces of Eve (1957)

Reactions to Splendor in the Grass (1961)

Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind

~ Ode on Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood ~

~ William Wordsworth ~

• Consequences of sexual repression affect both the female and male protagonist. A rarity amongst coming of age stories.
• I was both enraptured by the story but put off by the soundtrack. Violins screeching the same sentimental notes over and over again was too much.
• The title of the movie means something to the story and its characters. The fact that it comes from a line written by a well-known Romantic poet gives it even more credence.
• I could not have seen this same story taking place in a city. There is something about rural open space, small communities and isolation that exaggerates the human condition.
• A tolerable, even enjoyable Natalie Wood. That says a lot for me, I'm not a fan.

Sexiest Scenes in Film History: A Face in the Crowd (1957)

Breaking the Code: Updates

I just read some amazing news at Pre-Coded Messages about the second volume of the The Forbidden Hollywood DVD boxed set collection. It'll have 2, count 'em 2, Norma Shearer movies, a blonde Bette Davis film and another crazy Stanwyck flick. I was particularly surprised by the Davis film, Three on a Match (1932) being a selection. This is a lesser-known work and may only have been chosen because of the big-wig stars that have supporting roles in the film (Davis, Bogart, Blondell). I highly recommend watching it as its a very interesting story involving many of the classic Pre-Code elements including infidelity, drug-abuse, mob activity and child-neglect.

In other news, I've finally selected my 5 films to go in my mock "Breaking the Code" boxed set. I will hold A Face in the Crowd (1957) as a back-up selection in case I find one of these doesn't quite work.


Anatomy of a Murder (1959)
Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

Baby Doll (1956)
The Night of the Hunter (1955)

Three Faces of Eve (1957)

Now I'm wishing I could do a Pre-Code boxed set too! Shucks!