fmj's - Rented List
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Frank Capra's adaptation of James Hilton's novel that follows British diplomat and historian Robert Conway (Ronald Colman) as he comes to the rescue of four refugees during the Chinese Revolution. The refugees - his younger brother, George (John Howard), scientist Alexander P. Lovett (Edward Everett Horton), con man Henry Branard (Thomas Mitchell) and ailing prostitute Gloria Stone (Isabel Jewell) - escape the revolution on a plane, but instead of flying to safety they end up crashing in the Himalayas. Upon climbing out of the wreckage the passengers find themselves in the hidden city of Shangri-La, a paradisiacal place where the air is clean and time stands still. - Director:
- Frank Capra
- Cast:
- Ronald Colman, Jane Wyatt, Edward Everett Horton
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In this Oscar-winning farce, Cary Grant (in the role that first defined the Cary Grant persona) and Irene Dunne exude charm, cunning, and artless affection as an urbane couple who, fed up with each others infidelities, resolve to file for divorce. But try as they might to move on, the mischievous Jerry can't help meddling in Lucy's ill-matched engagement to a corn-fed Oklahoma businessman (Ralph Bellamy), and a mortified Lucy begins to realize that she may be saying goodbye to the only dance partner capable of following her lead. Directed by the versatile Leo McCarey, a master of improvisation and slapstick as well as a keen and sympathetic observer of human folly, 'The Awful Truth' is a warm but unsparing comedy about two people whose flaws only make them more irresistible. - Director:
- Leo McCarey
- Cast:
- Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy
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Daddy Long Legs is a magical musical, following a young French girl (Leslie Caron) through college, her education sponsored by a mysterious man with long legs. Although millionaire Jervis Pendleton III (Fred Astaire) is generous with his wealth, he has to learn how to be as free with his emotions. Amid sparkling musical numbers and dream sequences, comic relief comes from Fred Clark as Griggs, Jervis' assistant, and Thelma Ritter as Jervis' secretary. - Director:
- Jean Negulesco
- Cast:
- Fred Astaire, Leslie Caron, Terry Moore
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Later adapted as 'My Fair Lady' George Bernard Shaw's wonderful comedy of manners is given its finest screen outing in this 1938 production. Nominated for four Oscars, Shaw himself was one of the recipients of the award for best screenplay. Snobbish Professor Higgins has a wager with his friend Colonel Pickering that with the right instruction he can pass off cockney 'gutter-snipe' Eliza Doolittle as a 'lady' among high society. Taken under his wing Eliza is given rigorous coaching in elocution and manners in preparation for the ultimate test, her appearance at an ambassador's reception. - Director:
- Anthony Asquith
- Cast:
- Leslie Howard, Wendy Hiller, Wilfrid Lawson
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Bing Crosby musical double-bill.
Rhythm on the Range (1936)America's favorite crooner, Bing Crosby, lassoes up love and laughter as big as the great outdoors when he stars as Jeff Larrabee, a champion rodeo rider heading back West after performing in New York. On the train ride home he discovers a runaway heiress hiding out in his boxcar. Seems gorgeous Doris Halliday (Frances Farmer) is fed up with big city wolves and hanks for some romance with a real-life cowboy. This sweet, swingin' tale is loaded with down-home humor, range-rousing songs (including "I'm An Old Cowhand" from newcomer Johnny Mercer) and many memorable firsts-including a peek at the yet unknown Roy Rogers (seen strumming his guitar in the band) and the screen debut of Martha Raye. So saddle up and sit back for a story that will keep your toes tapping on the happy trails ahead!
Rhythm on the River (1940)
Bing Crosby and Mary Martin make a delightful discovery in this tuneful stale of star-crossed melody makers who step out from the shadows in the hopes of making it big. Basil Rathborne plays Oliver Courtney, a well-known composer of hit songs who is very much in demand by the folks who produce musical shows. But beneath the lass of a well-polished performance lies the truth about Oliver's talent - it's the work of ghostwriters! Bob Summers (Crosby) writes the tunes and Cherry Lane (Martin) writes the lyrics, only neither knows the other exists and both believe they are collaborating with Oliver. When the two meet at a musical retreat, they discover they have a lot more in common then they ever imagined and decide they'd like to go out on their own together. But the road to fame is rough and they wind up needing help from the one person who has the least interest in making their names known to the world of music-Oliver. Rhythm On the River is full of life, laughter, and love. Songs include "Only Forever", "Ain't It a Shame About Mame", "Moon Over Madison Square", and "That's for Me".- Director:
- Norman Taurog
- Cast:
- Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone
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Bing Crosby is Frank Elgin, an alcoholic, guilt-ridden former musical star desperate to make a comeback. William Holden is the hotshot Broadway director in need of a 'name' star for his new stage production. And Grace Kelly is The Country Girl - Frank's long suffering wife, who's both weary of her husband's weaknesses and wary of Holden's motives. - Director:
- George Seaton
- Cast:
- Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, William Holden
- Formats:
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Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon and Fred Astaire star in this wonderfully entertaining 1960s comedy mystery set in London. When young William Gridley (Jack Lemmon) arrives in London to work under diplomat Franklyn Ambruster (Fred Astaire), he rents an apartment from the lovely Carly Hardwicke (Kim Novak) - unaware that the police suspect her of having poisoned her husband. When Carly's missing husband mysteriously reappears... and then is murdered... a neighbour helps her escape a murder charge. But then the trouble really starts... - Director:
- Richard Quine
- Cast:
- Kim Novak, Jack Lemmon, Fred Astaire
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John Travolta solidified his position as the most versatile and magnetic screen presence of the decade in this film version of the smash hit play Grease. Recording star Olivia Newton-John made her American film debut as Sandy, Travolta's naive love interest. The impressive supporting cast reads like a "who's who" in this quintessential musical about the fabulous '50's. Grease is not just a nostalgic look at a simpler decade - it's an energetic and exciting musical homage to the age of rock n'roll! - Director:
- Randal Kleiser
- Cast:
- John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing
- Formats:
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Claudio is a middle-aged lawyer with a prosperous life in a placid provincial town in mid-70's Argentina, just before the military coup. One night he enters a restaurant where he is verbally attacked by a mysterious stranger, their argument continues on the street outside, and then escalates even more with drastic consequences. A few months later a friend comes to see Claudio about an abandoned house that he is interested in buying. The two incidents come back to haunt Claudio later with the arrival of a Chilean private detective who is intent on locating the missing stranger, who, it turns out, is a relative of one of Claudio's friends. Claudio's life is possibly about to unravel. - Director:
- Benjamín Naishtat
- Cast:
- Darío Grandinetti, Andrea Frigerio, Alfredo Castro
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Father "Chuck" O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is dispatched to fix up an inner-city parochial school on its last legs, and his easy-going, unconventional demeanour instantly clashes with that of the firm, no-nonsense Sister Superior Mary Benedict (Ingrid Bergman), who is keeping the school open through sheer will and faith alone. Over the course of the school year, the pair bicker and ultimately bond over their differing visions on how to save the school - and the role a miserly businessman (Henry Travers) who wants the building condemned might play in doing so. - Director:
- Leo McCarey
- Cast:
- Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman, Henry Travers
- Formats:
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The Greatest Love Story Ever Told...in the most acclaimed musical of all time...! Experience every sensational song, dazzling dance number and magical movie moment of 'West Side Story' as never before, in sparkling high definition with pure digital sound. A triumph on every level, this electrifying musical sets the ageless tragedy of 'Romeo and Juliet' against a backdrop of gang warfare in 1950s New York. Featuring an unforgettable score, exuberant choreography and powerful performances by Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, Rita Moreno and George Chakiris, West Side Story will forever resonate as a true cinematic masterpiece. - Director:
- Jerome Robbins
- Cast:
- Natalie Wood, George Chakiris, Richard Beymer
- Formats:
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Billy Fury became an overnight sensation in the 1950s and 'The Sound of Fury', a landmark album in British Rock and Roll history. This new film recounts the story of Billy Fury and the birth of British popular music. Although it may have been inspired by Elvis and American R&B artists, Britain produced its own Rock and Roll heroes with the unique sound of Billy Fury, Marty Wilde, Cliff Richard, Joe Brown and many more great artists. Shot entirely in HD with unique, unseen archive and photos, this programme highlights Fury' s contribution to popular music and the reason why Britain' s original teen idol had more Top 40 hits than the Beatles during the 1960s. Featuring exclusive home movie footage and interviews with Lord Puttnam, Mark Kermode, Amanda Barrie, Vince Eager, Imelda May, Ray Connolly, Spencer Leigh, Clem Cattini, Len Goodman, Boz Boorer, Billy's mum, Jean Wycherley and many more; this is a must-see programme on the James Dean of British rock and roll. - Director:
- Mark Sloper
- Cast:
- Billy Fury, Lord Puttnam, Mark Kermode
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Kelly plays an ex-GI who loves Paris and loves even more an alluring (but engaged) perfume-shop clerk. Dance sequences spun around Gershwin songs accent Kelly's romantic pursuit. And the final 17-minute ballet - combining the title symphony. Impressionist set stylings and Kelly's unique talent for telling a story in dance - lifts this winner of six Academy Awards including Best Picture into the ether of timelessness. Love Is Here To Stay Kelly sings. So is An American In Paris. - Director:
- Vincente Minnelli
- Cast:
- Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant
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Ricky (Kris Hitchen) and his family have been fighting an uphill struggle against debt since the 2008 financial crash. An opportunity to wrestle back some independence appears with a shiny new van and the chance to run a franchise as a self employed delivery driver. It's hard work, and his wife's job as a carer is no easier. The family unit is strong but when both are pulled in different directions everything comes to breaking point. - Director:
- Ken Loach
- Cast:
- Kris Hitchen, Debbie Honeywood, Rhys Stone
- Formats:
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Blake Edwards' screen adaptation of Truman Capote's novella stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, an eccentric high-class escort working in New York. Rubbing shoulders with Hollywood agents and wealthy politicians at glamorous parties, Holly plans to marry into money and save up to help support her brother who is due to return from the army. However, when young writer Paul Varjak (George Peppard) - the kept man of a wealthy older woman - moves into Holly's apartment block, the pair soon find their worlds turned upside down. - Director:
- Blake Edwards
- Cast:
- Audrey Hepburn, Mel Blanc, George Peppard
- Formats:
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