National Film Registry Adds 25. How Many Have You Seen?
Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 12:37PM Ah the National Film Registry inductees! One of the most important December cinematic traditions that I always forget about. I wish it were in March each year -- since it's not any kind of "year in..." since film works aren't eligible for induction until they're ten years old. Placed it March it would also serve as a nice salve to the sometimes wounding notion that the Oscars are the only barometer for American movies that are deemed "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" I wish too that this annual honor were more practical (restoration, anyone?) and less symbolic in nature.
THE TWENTY-FIVE 2014 INDUCTEES
Which have you seen and which will you be seeking out?(presented in chronological order)
Bert Williams Lime Kiln Club Field Day(1913)
The oldest surviving film featuring African-American actors. But no title cards, credits, or script has survived.
Shoes (1916)
Directed by Lois Weber, a female film pioneer. This one is about a desperate girl trying to support her parents and brothers who sells her body for a pair of shoes!
Unmasked (1917)
Another female silent director Grace Cunard who also acted in the short with co-director Francis Ford
The Dragon Painter (1919)
A US/France coproduction
More films after the jump filled with Satan-worshipping neighbors, chocolate rivers, and rugs that tie the whole room together...
The Power and the Glory (1933)
Preston Surges wrote this film about a man whose life story is told after his funeral. Starring Spencer Tracy & Colleen Moore
State Fair (1933)
One of many films with that title. State fairs used to be a big thing, y'all. It was nominated for two Oscars including Best Picture and what we now think of as "Adapted Screenplay". Starring Louise Dresser and Will Rogers as a husband and wife in Iowa with their family at the State Fair. Their eldest (Janet Gaynor and Norman Foster) find romance at the fair.
Ruggles of Red Gap (1933)
I'm so horrified I haven't seen this one because I've meant to for years and I love Leo McCarey's films. Nominated for Best Picture (and nothing else!) in its year.
Down the Argentine Way (1940)
A comic musical with Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, Don Ameche and more. Three below the line Oscar nominations
this shit is bananas. b-a-n-a-n-a-s
The Gang's All Here (1943)
A Busby Berkeley musical... another one with Carmen Miranda (plus Alice Faye). Carmen Miranda is all up in the NFR this year. Remember that Busby Berkeley biopic they were going to make. It's one of the rare biopics I want I want I want.
V-E +1 (1945)
???
The Way of Peace (1947)
Animated short about the end of the world. Cheery!
House of Wax (1953)
'No, not the one with Paris Hilton,' he says shuddering. This classic horror film is once of the Vincent Price gems.
Rio Bravo (1959)
Howard Hawks directs John Wayne, Angie Dickinson,Dean Martin, in this western. Walter Brennan is in it arguably ending his two-decade run as Most Ubiquitous Character Actor in the World. (He made 10 more films after it though)
Felicia (1965)
Here's the whole short (I think) about a black girl in California...
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
The certified TFE favorite that we probably talk about a little too much
Little Big Man (1970)
Dustin Hoffman raised by Native Americans in this 70s smash.
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
The demented family classic with Gene Wilder that Tim Burton & Johnny Depp tried to replace. It lives on, sure of its place in the world.
Please Don't Bury Me Alive (1976)
an indie Chicano film about life in the barrio
Moon Breath Beat (1980)
I know nothing about this one but it since it features a woman cuddling with cats, I purr my approval as I type.
Luxo Jr. (1986)
Pixar's 'look what we can do' birth of a logo short film. It was nominated for the Oscar for short film
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
The high school classic. It's charms largely escape me and even did when I was the right age for it.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
I delight in other people's delight of this film but I admit to no real personal connection to it other than a) the Julianne Moore Valkyrie Bowling dream sequence and b) the fun memory of the first time I saw it at a movie theater/bar in Salt Lake City called "Brewvies" - it was the perfect movie to watch while drinking legally in the movie theater
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
meh. Shakespeare in Love was better (*ducks and hides*)
Into the Arms of Strangers: Stories of the Kindertransport (2000)
This Oscar winning documentary is about the British rescue of thousands of Jewish children during the Holocaust who were shipped to live with strangers hoping to someday be reuinted with their families
13 Lakes (2004)
This contemplative documentary short consists of 13 shots of US lakes - no camera movement but the water moves, naturallly.
Reader Comments (27)
I don't think Dustin Hoffman played a Native American in Little Big Man. I think he was a white guy raised by them a la Mary McDonnell in Dances With Wolves, but I don't know if I've ever seen it all the way through.
The only early one on this list I'm sure I've seen is Down Argentine Way. I didn't even know State Fair existed in a non-musical version.
I echo Nathaniel's sentiments about The Big Lebowski, Ferris Bueller, and even Saving Private Ryan (except for the exemplary D-Day attack which is probably the reason it's been included).
Only 7 - ouch! I am also horrified that I haven't seen Ruggles. It's always one of those, "oh right, I should watch it one of these days" movies.
I love Brewvies! So much fun. Plus: drinking a beer always helps a bad movie seem a touch better.
I've seen..... 4. Yes, only 4. *ashamed is*
Though how cool is it that Ferris Bueller's Day Off is in that list???
Dankeschoen, Darling, dankeschoen!
I think Rio Bravo is one of the top 5 best movies ever made
I have seen 8 of these, I am very pleased to see Ferris Bueller, Big Lebowski, Ruggles, and Willie Wonka make the list. Too often light hearted comedies don't get the appreciation they deserve from the Oscars, AFI list, or Sight & Sound. Why drama is considered more worthy is beyond me, so it's nice to see such a diverse list.
Dave. you're absolutely right. i typed this in haste. ugh. corrected.
8 Starting with House of Wax.
I want to see Down Argentine Way, Bert Williams and State Fair (the State Fair is still a big deal here in MO).
The first act of Saving Private Ryan trumps all other war movies hands down and as much as I liked Shakespeare in Goop, it doesn't even come close.
Kindertransport should be a must see for everyone.
I love that you added the "legally" to your explanation of movies with booze. We used to take a certain rush inducing agent to viewings of Flash Gordon-- ("NOT the BORE WORMS!!!"). The closest I ever got to seeing Freddie Mercury on acid.
I don't know why I feel compelled to write this here, but re: Big Lebowski - I just learned that the French audio at the end of Beyoncé's "Partition" (Est-ce que tu aimes le sexe?...) is the French dub of Julianne Moore in Big Lebowski, and my mind is thusly blown.
Anyway, I've only seen 6 of them, but I've seen Rosemary's Baby about 25 times, so...
RE: 1998 - YES. THANK YOU.
I am so glad the NFR exists, because there really does need to be an organization that places 13 Lakes, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Felicia, Down Argentine Way, Rio Bravo, and House of Wax side by side. Films are not just about the art/aesthetics, nor are they just about the entertainment that leads to them infiltrating the culture on every level. In my ideal world, they really are about both, and I thank my lucky stars that the National Film Registry exists to remind everyone of that.
I thrilled about Grace Cunard's "Unmasked."
In a weird coincidence, just yesterday I was reading Cunard's obituary from the New York Times for a book I'm researching. The obit made no mention at all of her writing and directing, even though she was very, very proud of her behind-the-camera work throughout her life. So glad she's finally getting the recognition she deserves.
Shakespeare in Love IS better! Glad some small, vocal pockets of the Internet agree with this. Give it 25 years or so and I bet that opinion has grown even louder.
Shakespeare in Love is one of the best examples of a fun little movie, so much better than the loud and important Saving Private Ryan. The only movie I like better from that year is Lebowski ;)
Shakespeare in Love *is* better. No shame! I will die on this hill defending it if need be.
LOL Take that, 'Ryan' haters!
Only a few gay fanboys revere Shakespeare in Love nowadays.
"Glad some small, vocal pockets of the Internet agree with this. Give it 25 years or so and I bet that opinion has grown even louder."
That vocal pocket amount to what, a few hundred? Compared to the actual millions of people who consider 'Ryan' a milestone in filmmaking?
'SiL' might still be around in 25 years, but its internet-based fans will still trail 'Ryan's.
Why can't you admit being in a minority?
13/25
Still need to buy this MoC, that was released earlier this year: https://www.eurekavideo.co.uk/moc/gangs-all-here
I've only seen five,so I'm a bit ashamed of myself!
I gotta join the chorus of approval for Shakespeare in Love, and add that I think that not only is it better than Saving Private Ryan, but so are The Thin Red Line and Life is Beautiful as well. (I haven't seen Elizabeth all the way through...)
I too don't get the Ferris Bueller and Big Lebowski love. On the other hand, Nathaniel: you can mention Rosemary's Baby as often as you like!
I've seen 7. There are some bizarre inclusions here. I have seen Little Big Man, because my boss once said it was his favorite movie, and I thought it could be something we could discuss. It is weird. It sort of plays like a 19th century Forest Gump.
Has anyone seen 13 Lakes? It's just...lakes? With water rippling? IMPORTANT! 100 years from now, our ancestors will have this definitive vision of what a lake looks like. Was the director a nephew of one of the NFR board members?
"Saving Private Ryan" is a film I loathe, for what it represents. American audiences can't see it as we can see it abroad, where we can pay attention to some details that twist the message. As someone who has both studied history and cinema, I find it... repulsive, and pure propaganda, and an insult for europeans all together. The way any non-american character is portrayed, gives the key of why this film is like a spit in the face, for some. I must admit that the film, technically, looks superb, but Spielberg goes over the top and clearly borrows (er... copies) John Ford for some sequences, too. But I have this, "Pearl Harbor", "Black Hawk Down" and "Zero Dark Thirty" as examples of how dumb propaganda films are alive and well (and main reason why I refuse to see "American Sniper", too).
I'd love to see, some day in the future, both "Little Shop of Horrors" films joining the registry.
I've seen 13 of them. Ruggles of Red Gap is so very enjoyable and the starring quartet of Charles Laughton, Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles and ZaSu Pitts are all perfect in their roles. The Busby Berkeley musicals are fantastical creations as is Carmen Miranda.
I'd love to see The Power and the Glory. Preston Sturges was all I needed to hear but add in Spencer Tracy and now I'm on a quest!
I've only seen 5.
I agree with Henry that Kindertransport is really worth seeing.
I've only seen 5.
I agree with Henry that Kindertransport is really worth seeing.
Eh, 1998 has many better movies than both: Elizabeth, Rushmore, Living Out Loud, Gods and Monsters, The Butcher Boy, The Celebration, Out of Sight.
But I prefer SPR to SiL anyway.
Beloved (1998) deserves reevaluation. Oprah would have won Best Actress over everyone who actually made the final five. Or Christina Ricci. I see her role in The Opposite of Sex (1998) as a leading one.
I've seen 13 now including "Felicia," and thank you for that. If you haven't watched it yet, it's a good way to spend 12 and a half minutes. It does seem to reinforce some stereotypes that exist about the African American community, but the fact that this is a young high school girl telling her story makes it very compelling. I want to do more research on it if I can.
My favorite on the list is probably "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory." I love that movie, and I'm happy it's being recognized. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" is second, and now I consider myself lucky for having been mesmerized by its charms. It's my favorite John Hughes movie, and I think it's interesting that it made it in before "The Breakfast Club."
I will agree with you about both "The Big Lebowski" and "Saving Private Ryan." Lebowski is a good movie, but it doesn't hold a special place in my heart the way another Coen Brothers comedy ("Raising Arizona") does. "Shakespeare in Love" will always be the best choice for Best Picture 1998 to me too, and it's not close. "Life Is Beautiful" is a better film than "Saving Private Ryan," but I'll admit that SPR is still a pretty good movie.
"Ruggles of Red Gap" is a great Charles Laughton comedy. I've always thought his costar, Charlie Ruggles, was a good unsung actor.
"Rosemary's Baby" and "Rio Bravo" are classics. I'm a little surprised that the Library of Congress hasn't put these movies in the National Film Registry already.
It's cool that "House of Wax" has the reputation it does. It's probably Vincent Price's most well-regarded (and best) horror movie.
I like "State Fair." I feel like it's the only Will Rogers movie I've ever seen. I watched it on Fox Movie Channel maybe 10 years ago while trying to see all of the Best Picture nominees. I must admit that I haven't seen either the 1945 or the 1962 versions.
"Little Big Man" is a little long, but I'd watch Dustin Hoffman in anything. He makes it good.
"Down Argentine Way" is fair. Carmen Miranda is interesting and the color cinematography is good.
Finally, I saw "Luxo Jr." but I feel like it was a long time ago and it deserves a rewatch. I do remember liking it.
Of the 12 I haven't seen, "The Power and the Glory," "Please Don't Bury Me Alive," and "Into the Arms of Strangers" look the most intriguing. That "V E + 1" film would probably be hard to watch, since it's about liberating concentration camps. I'd still try to sit through it though.
We watched "Little Big Man" in seventh grade and I still remember the character of the obviously gay Native American. The movie is crazy long so I think it took a whole week of classes (the teacher was probably catching up on grading or something). If I remember, he was mainly played for laughs, but as we were all getting caught up in the story (or sleeping through most of it, because I fell asleep through EVERY movie in school), everybody went "Aww" when he earnestly Dustin Hoffman that he'll be his wife. It was a small victory in my mind.