As a vintage movie buff (both my avatar and my pen name come from an old Jennifer Jones film), cinema is my go-to in moments of stress. These last weeks since Infamous 11/9, as I alternate between signing petitions against Mr. Trump and drafting nasty things to write about him (to him), I have also been compiling myself a film list to help me cope. I have listed them in chrono order with some observations:
Metropolis 1927 — by Fritz Lang who also gave us “M”. A vision of a hyper-industrialized society with a huge division between the wealthy and the workers. Amazing dual performance by Brigitte Helm as the idealistic Maria and the evil Maschinenmensch (Robot).
Duck Soup 1993 — the Marx Brothers. Rufus T. Firefly (Groucho) becomes president of Freedonia through the influence of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale (Margaret Dumont). Hmm, the incredibly wealthy controlling the government? Total fantasy, right? Oh, and they go to war.
Mr. Smith Goes To Washington 1939 — An idealistic young senator (James Stewart) goes up against an older, corrupt senator (Claude Rains). Bonus: Claud Rains’ hair has a strongly resembles Mr. Trump hair-don’t. A Capra film, virtue triumphs in the end.
The Great Dictator 1940 — Chaplin’s unsparing satire of Hitler. Chaplin plays the dual roles of Adnoid Hynkel and a nameless Jewish barber. Classic Chaplin physical comedy including dancing with a globe, a duel with adjustable chairs and mistaken identity.
State of the Union 1948 — Spencer Tracy as a presidential candidate who must choose between his ideals and the corruption that surrounds him. Co-stars Katherine Hepburn as his estranged wife.
All the King’s Men 1949 — Broderick Crawford as Willie Stark, a Huey Long-type politician. The movie chronicles his progress from idealistic political newcomer to assassinated corrupt politician.
Born Yesterday 1950 — Pygmalion with a political twist. Corrupt businessman played by Broderick Crawford wants idealistic journalist played by William Holden to educate his mistress played by Billie Holliday. One of Billie Holliday’s best and, as woman who rarely feels confident about my opinions, I found her awakening to her own intelligence and understanding inspiring.
The Last Hurrah 1958 — Spencer Tracy again, this time as a Boston politician seeking one last term.
Dave 1993 — This is could be a Capra film. Bad, corrupt, adulterous president has a stroke, is replaced by a good-guy lookalike, both played by Kevin Kline. He discovers all sorts of secrets about the president’s activities and Virtue Triumphs in the end. Also, co-stars Sigourney Weaver and Ben Kingsley. And Frank Langella.
The Manchurian Candidate 1962 — The original with Laurence Harvey as a brainwashed assassin Raymond Shaw. His mother, played by a surprisingly icy Angela Lansbury is a foreign spy. She plans to have the presidential candidate assassinated so her henpecked Vice-Presidential candidate husband will be elected. Foreigners interfering in American elections?
Fail Safe 1964 — A truly terrifying film of how a nuclear disaster be triggered through a series of honest mistakes. I would choose the original with Henry Fonda and Walter Matthau
Dr. Strangelove 1964 — Almost the same as Fail Safe, only funny. Peter Sellers in three roles: The President, Lt. Mandrake and Dr. Strangelove who was based on Henry Kissinger and Werner von Braun.
All the President’s Men 1976 — The exposure of the Watergate Scandal by Woodward and Bernstein. Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman.
Bob Roberts 1992 — Tim Robbins as a guitar playing, Right Wing senatorial candidate who manipulates the media.
Also, Julius Caesar. I suppose the version with Marlon Brando as Marc Antony is the most popular. I wish I could track down a video of Orson Welles’ Fascist modern dress dress version.