‘Sunset Boulevard’

A classic of the Hollywood Golden Age as a struggling screenwriter finds himself in the thrall of a faded film star of the Silent Age determined to make a comeback.

Avoiding having his car re-possessed, Joe Gillis (William Holden) finds himself hiding the vehicle in the grounds of what appears to be an abandoned Hollywood mansion. But it turns out to be the home of the once-great Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). Living alone in the vastness of the house with only Max Von Mayerling (Erich von Stroheim) for company, she sees the scriptwriter as her way back.

Money is no object as Gillis becomes a kept man by the possessive, obsessed Desmond demanding complete commitment from Gillis. Her mental balance is tipped over the edge on discovering his liaison with Betty Schaefer (Nancy Olson), a script reader at the Studios.

Writer/director Billy Wilder is at his searing best with this savage but heartfelt melodrama of the Hollywood system at its worse with a tour de force over the top performance from the deranged Swanston. In short, brilliant.

Nominated for 11 Oscars in 1951 including best film, director, actress, actor, supporting actor, supporting actress – won 3 for best screenplay, art direction, original score (Franz Waxman)

Rating: 94%

Director: Billy Wilder (The Apartment, Stalag 17)

Writer: Billy Wilder (The Apartment, Stalag 17), Charles Brackett (The Lost Weekend, Ninotchka), D.M. Marshman Jnr (Taxi, Second Chance)

Main cast: Gloria Swanson (Sadie Thompson, Queen Kelly), William Holden (Stalag 17, Network), Erich von Stroheim (La grande illusion, Storm Over Lisbon)

‘Mr Smith Goes to Washington’

A delightful political comedy drama, Mr Smith Goes to Washington, made in 1939, surprisingly passes the test of time as a naive new senator takes up his position at the Senate.

As the second representative of his (unnamed) State, Jefferson Smith (James Stewart) is appointed by the Governor based on his lack of experience. A bill in the House needs to be passed, no questions asked: long-time local Senator, Joseph Paine (Claude Rains) and a group of businessmen are looking to make millions. But they hadn’t made allowances for Smith’s idealism – nor cynical staffer, Saunders (Jean Arthur).

Unashamedly black and white with its stance on right and wrong along with a passing comment on political interests, director Frank Capra paces his narrative perfectly with the weaving of comedy, romance and drama whilst barely deviating from the central narrative.

Nominated for 11 Oscars in 1940 including best film, actor, director, screenplay, won 1 for best original story.

Rating: 77%

Director: Frank Capra ( It’s a Wonderful Life, It Happened One Night)

Writer: Sidney Buchman (Here Comes Mr Jordan, Cleopatra)

Main cast: James Stewart (The Philadelphia Story, It’s a Wonderful Life), Claude Rains (Casablanca, Mr Skeffington), Jean Arthur (You Can’t Take It With You, The Devil & Miss Jones)

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’

It may be regarded as one of the Hollywood classics of the Studios’ glory days, but an overloud, cloyingly sentimental feature is its reality – with the central performance by James Stewart the main problem.

From an early age, golden-hearted George Bailey cannot escape hometown Bedford Falls, no matter how hard he tries. Now married (Donna Reed) with kids, Bailey finds himself heading for financial ruin. An angel (Henry Travers – second class, so no wings) is sent to help the businessman see the good in his life and what impact he has had on the world around him.

Nominated for 5 Oscars in 1947 including best film, actor & director

Rating: 54%

Director: Frank Capra (It Happened One Night, A Pocketful of Miracles)

Writer: Frances Goodrich (Easter Parade, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers), Albert Hackett (Easter Parade, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers), Frank Capra (That Certain Thing)

Main cast: James Stewart (The Philadelphia Story, Anatomy of a Murder), Donna Reed (From Here to Eternity, They Were Expendable), Lionel Barrymore (You Can’t Take It With You, Key Largo)