entertainment
50 AND FABULOUS
Michelle L. Curtis
ypically, being 50 or older in Hollywood is frowned
upon. Actresses and actors are visiting their plastic
surgeons, for a nip here or a tuck there. Personal
trainers, nutritionists and stylists work overtime,
helping their celebrity clients cling to their youth
and remain relevant. The only guarantee to truly stay
young and frozen in time, is to be captured on film.
The motion pictures themselves fair far better than
the actors and actresses. Each year, scads of movies
are re-released with digital enhancements, in box
sets and with “special features”. They live on and on,
looking almost like they did when they hit the screen.
Older, Classic or Vintage films can get a bad rap
with today’s moviegoer. Even films that are a few
decades old may seem boring or outdated and
end up not being appreciated. This is absolutely
not the case. Some of Hollywood’s best motion
pictures have been around for 50 years or more.
They have stories that can be compelling, hilarious,
thought provoking and just all around entertaining.
They endure as part of our social history, representing
everything from the lexicon of their time to fashion
trends to the political climate and more. Looking
back now, to what some of the top films were 50
years ago or more is fascinating. The plots run the
gambit – including war, wealth vs. poverty, murder,
infidelity, broad comedy, wildlife and family life.
Where has the time gone? Looking back just
fifty years brings us to 1966. A great year at the
movies, not to mention the decade’s prior! Naturally,
12
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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SEPTEMBER 2016
there are always multiple film releases each year
but narrowing it down to some of the best can
be tough. Thankfully, we have the Internet and
a quick search can take us back in time, to see
what was drawing audiences to the theaters more
than 50 years ago. Being a movie buff has its
definite advantages so I took the liberty of listing
some of my favorite films from past decades,
being sure to include those that were awarded
Best Picture of the Year at the Academy Awards.
The majority of these films are available
through cable networks, movie rental services,
streaming on your electronic devices and
possibly even the Winter Garden Library
(or other Orange County Library Locations).
Released in 1966
A Man For All Seasons - Best Picture of the Year
Starring Orson Wells and Robert Shaw
- Documented eye-witness accounts of the trial and
execution were used as the basis for scenes.
- Took nearly 3 months to film with a budget of over 2
million dollars.
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Staring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
The Sand Pebbles
Staring Steve McQueen and Candice Bergan
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Starring Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef