Appreciating all that makes America special

The Movies of 1964

Sean Connery as James Bond, www.greatamericanthings.net

The second and third James Bond films were released in the USA in 1964, From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. Uploaded by jakemcmillan.wordpress.com.

It was a year that featured great family films, musicals, and the rise of the James Bond franchise. Here are some of the year’s highlights, in alphabetical order:

Becket – The classic story of Thomas Becket, starring two lions of British film, Richard Burton and Peter O’Toole. Won the Golden Globe for Best Drama.

Dr. Strangelove – One of the finest black comedies of all time – maybe the best. With Peter Sellers and George C. Scott.

Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins, www.greatamericanthings.net

Uploaded by macotar.blogspot.com.

Fail-Safe – While it’s very much a date concept now, this Sidney Lumet film with Henry Fonda as a troubled President is a classic of its age.

From Russia with Love – The second in the James Bond series. With Sean Connery, of course.

Goldfinger – The third Bond film, with Sean Connery, Gert Frobe, and Honor Blackman.

Hush…Hush Sweet Charlotte Bette Davis could have played the Virgin Mary and scared the crap out of me.

Mary Poppins – Winner of five Academy Awards (including Best Actress – Julie Andrews). Also the highest grossing film of the year.

My Fair Lady – Runner-up at the box office, it earned 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director (George Cukor) and Best Actor (Rex Harrison).

The Night of the Iguana – A great John Huston film based on the Tennessee Williams play, and starring Richard Burton.

Seven Days in May – Like Fail-Safe, a time capsule of the Cold War era but with a great cast: Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas, Frederick March, Ava Gardner.

Viva Las Vegas – Okay, maybe not a highlight of cinematic history, but a landmark in cultural history nonetheless. Elvis and Ann-Margret.

 

 

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