spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 13:34:38 GMT
Stanley Kramer started as a producer, then later became a director, also producing the films he directed. He was a Hollywood titan back in the day with many successful and award winning films. I didn't like all of his works, but there were many that I greatly admired. He had a strong interest in socially responsible films, almost always without moralizing. He did that a bit now and again, but mostly he maintained a strong neutrality, letting the story speak for itself. His later works were inferior to his earlier works, in my opinion, although I believe he still spoke to socially significant issues -- even with his final film, The Runner Stumbes (1979), which wasn't very good or successful, but still was one that made people think.
My favorites of those he produced:
Champion (1949) The Men (1950) Death of a Salesman (1951) High Noon (1952) (uncredited)
The Member of the Wedding (1952) The Caine Mutiny (1954)
My favorites of those he both produced and directed:
The Defiant Ones (1958) Inherit the Wind (1960) Judgement at Nuremburg (1961)
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spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 13:59:19 GMT
Ship of Fools - 8/10I just watched it yesterday. Great cast and well played by Simone Signoret, Oskar Werner, Lee Marvin, Vivien Leigh and Michael Dunn.
I saw that so very long ago, only once, and I don't remember it well at all. I need to see it again. It sounds like one that I would appreciate, and it certainly tells a significant story. Will see if I can find it. Thanks for the reminder. Oh, and you are certainly right about the cast. I wonder now, if I simply never saw it. Can't believe I would forget that cast or that story.
And we're in absolute agreement about Judgement at Nuremberg, except that I especially loved Montgomery Clift and Judy Garland in that one.
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Post by movielover on Sept 26, 2022 14:47:09 GMT
1. It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World - 9/10
2. Inherit the Wind - 8/10
3. The Defiant Ones - 7.5/10
4. Bless the Beasts & Children
5. Not as a Stranger - 7/10
6. Judgment at Nuremberg
7. Ship of Fools
8. On the Beach - 5.5/10
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spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 15:10:54 GMT
Directed: It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World Inherit the Wind The Defiant Ones Bless the Beasts & Children Judgment at Nuremberg Ship of Fools Pressure Point
Hey, ML, I'm not sure he directed PRESSURE POINT. I know he produced it, but his credit as what would be director is "framing story (uncredited)," whatever that means. Hubert Cornfield is credited as the director and the screenwriter. But I'm sure Kramer had a strong hold on the project in any case. And it was one of his most interesting, with wonderful performances by Sidney Poitier and Bobby Darin.
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Post by movielover on Sept 26, 2022 15:15:54 GMT
Directed: It’s a Mad Mad Mad Mad World Inherit the Wind The Defiant Ones Bless the Beasts & Children Judgment at Nuremberg Ship of Fools Pressure Point
Hey, ML, I'm not sure he directed PRESSURE POINT. I know he produced it, but his credit as what would be director is "framing story (uncredited)," whatever that means. Hubert Cornfield is credited as the director and the screenwriter. But I'm sure Kramer had a strong hold on the project in any case. And it was one of his most interesting, with wonderful performances by Sidney Poitier and Bobby Darin.
I wasn’t sure what “framing story” meant either...lol. But it was listed in IMDb under his directing credits, so I threw it in there. I’ll go ahead and remove it. Update: Turns out I haven’t seen it anyway. I was mistaking it for Time Limit (1957) for some reason. (...I haven’t been awake long.)
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Post by mikef6 on Sept 26, 2022 15:44:03 GMT
The Defiant Ones
On The Beach
Inherit the Wind
Judgment At Nuremburg
Produce only
The Caine Mutiny
High Noon
Death Of A Salesman
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spiderwort
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@spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 15:46:21 GMT
I wasn’t sure what “framing story” meant either...lol. But it was listed in IMDb under his directing credits, so I threw it in there. I’ll go ahead and remove it. Update: Turns out I haven’t seen it anyway. I was mistaking it for Time Limit (1957) for some reason. (...I haven’t been awake long.) Well, you're not alone. I now realize that I haven't seen it either. I was mixing it up with Darin in CAPTAIN NEWMAN, MD. Wow. And I've been awake a long time. But anyway, just from the trailer, it looks like it's very much worth a view, for the performances alone and the challenging story. (A black prison psychiatrist is assigned the distasteful task of helping a paranoid American Nazi charged with sedition.)
I'll have to remove it from my list, too. 
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Post by movielover on Sept 26, 2022 15:51:58 GMT
I wasn’t sure what “framing story” meant either...lol. But it was listed in IMDb under his directing credits, so I threw it in there. I’ll go ahead and remove it. Update: Turns out I haven’t seen it anyway. I was mistaking it for Time Limit (1957) for some reason. (...I haven’t been awake long.) Well, you're not alone. I now realize that I haven't seen it either. I was mixing it up with Darin in CAPTAIN NEWMAN, MD. Wow. And I've been awake a long time. But anyway, just from the trailer, it looks like it's very much worth a view, for the performances alone and the challenging story. (A black prison psychiatrist is assigned the distasteful task of helping a paranoid American Nazi charged with sedition.)
I'll have to remove it from my list, too. Haha! That’s hilarious we both mistook it for another movie. Does that qualify as a great minds think alike moment? A dubious one perhaps? 
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spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 15:58:09 GMT
The Defiant Ones On The Beach Inherit the Wind Judgment At Nuremburg Produce only The Caine Mutiny High Noon Death Of A Salesman Mike, I saw ON THE BEACH so long ago (in the 60s, on tv), and I don't remember it very well -- actually not at all. Can you tell me what draws you to it, and if you think it's one I should watch again? Also, I probably should have included DEATH OF A SALESMAN in my original list, but I didn't, because I've never been a fan of Lazlo Benedek's direction, wishing instead that Elia Kazan had directed the film as he did the play. In any case, I think I'm not being fair, because the performances and script are wonderful (although I would liked to have seen Lee J. Cobb reprise his role as Willy). So I'm going to add that one to my list, too. Thanks for helping me think that through.
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Post by timshelboy on Sept 26, 2022 16:10:38 GMT
Producing THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING HIGH NOON THE MEN CHAMPION THE WILD ONE THE CAINE MUTINY Directing ITS A MAD MAD MAD MAD WORLD ON THE BEACH ( A fine and uncompromising adaptation of Nevil Shute's novel. Inevitably downbeat, and very low key, it still takes some beating as cinematic armageddons go . All the cast on good form. You may never want to hear "Waltzing Matilda" again though after the melancholy rendering it gets here. ) SHIP OF FOOLS OKLAHOMA CRUDE JUDGEMENT AT NUREMBERG THE DEIANT ONES  I'll add Pauline Kael on NOT AS A STRANGER " Lordy it was gaudy"  Still havent caught BLESS THE BEASTS AND THE CHILDREN - love the song. |
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spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 16:42:11 GMT
ON THE BEACH ( A fine and uncompromising adaptation of Nevil Shute's novel. Inevitably downbeat, and very low key, it still takes some beating as cinematic armageddons go . All the cast on good form. You may never want to hear "Waltzing Matilda" again though after the melancholy rendering it gets here.)
It looks like I do need to take another look at this one. As I said to mikef6 , I saw it in the 60s on tv and don't remember it much at all. Thanks, tim.
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Post by timshelboy on Sept 26, 2022 16:48:42 GMT
ON THE BEACH ( A fine and uncompromising adaptation of Nevil Shute's novel. Inevitably downbeat, and very low key, it still takes some beating as cinematic armageddons go . All the cast on good form. You may never want to hear "Waltzing Matilda" again though after the melancholy rendering it gets here.)
It looks like I do need to take another look at this one. As I said to mikef6 , I saw it in the 60s on tv and don't remember it much at all. Thanks. My Dad requested another viewing in Lockdown 2  and we still have it in the pile. Its a remarkably effective piece, so I'll bump it to the top.
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Post by mikef6 on Sept 26, 2022 18:45:32 GMT
The Defiant Ones On The Beach Inherit the Wind Judgment At Nuremburg Produce only The Caine Mutiny High Noon Death Of A Salesman Mike, I saw ON THE BEACH so long ago (in the 60s, on tv), and I don't remember it very well -- actually not at all. Can you tell me what draws you to it, and if you think it's one I should watch again? Also, I probably should have included DEATH OF A SALESMAN in my original list, but I didn't, because I've never been a fan of Lazlo Benedek's direction, wishing instead that Elia Kazan had directed the film as he did the play. In any case, I think I'm not being fair, because the performances and script are wonderful (although I would liked to have seen Lee J. Cobb reprise his role as Willy). So I'm going to add that one to my list, too. Thanks for helping me think that through. On The Beach (1959). What would you do at the end of the world? If the human race was doomed to extinction in just a few months and you were among the last survivors, how would you take it? Would you be in denial? Despair? Would you party hardy? The characters in this movie do these things and others while waiting for the end. Critics say the film is slow-paced (it is). Too talky (it is). And too long (that too). Yet the character sketches ring true and the actors are perfect for them, led by Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner. Fred Astaire is my personal Best Supporting Actor of the year in his first dramatic role since retiring from dancing. These and the people around them have to find a way to live and hope until “the time comes” as they frequently say. Also with Anthony Perkins and Donna Anderson. The script is based on the famous novel by Nevil Shute. The title comes from a line in the T.S. Eliot poem “The Hollow Men”: “In this last of meeting places / We grope together / And avoid speech / Gathered on this beach of the tumid river.”
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Post by timshelboy on Sept 26, 2022 18:57:55 GMT
Re ON THE BEACH, Ava Gardner managed to upset the Australian press by commenting after her arrival on location "They wanted to make a movie about the end of the world - Melbourne sure is the right place to film it" She wanted the part and liked the script even though her advisers said it would flop.....but asked for $500k - Kramer offered $400k plus perks but had to visit her in person in Spain to court her to clinch the deal , Bergman was plan B.  One of her best performances - I gather Peck on record that she was his favourite leading lady - it shows......and yes Astaire is terrific |
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spiderwort
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Post by spiderwort on Sept 26, 2022 20:40:08 GMT
On The Beach (1959). What would you do at the end of the world? If the human race was doomed to extinction in just a few months and you were among the last survivors, how would you take it? Would you be in denial? Despair? Would you party hardy? The characters in this movie do these things and others while waiting for the end. Critics say the film is slow-paced (it is). Too talky (it is). And too long (that too). Yet the character sketches ring true and the actors are perfect for them, led by Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner. Fred Astaire is my personal Best Supporting Actor of the year in his first dramatic role since retiring from dancing. These and the people around them have to find a way to live and hope until “the time comes” as they frequently say. Also with Anthony Perkins and Donna Anderson. The script is based on the famous novel by Nevil Shute. The title comes from a line in the T.S. Eliot poem “The Hollow Men”: “In this last of meeting places / We grope together / And avoid speech / Gathered on this beach of the tumid river.”
Thanks, Mike. Great comments. I will for sure have to watch it now, although it will probably make me sad. Love the Eliot poem source. We need more of that these days.
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Post by politicidal on Sept 26, 2022 22:39:04 GMT
Judgement at Nuremberg (9/10)
The Defiant Ones (8/10)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (7/10)
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? (7/10)
Inherit the Wind (7/10)
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Post by teleadm on Sept 28, 2022 16:54:36 GMT
I got a bit of panic when I realized that I've seen very few of the Kramer directed movies, in fact just four.
Inherit the Wind 1960 is the favorite.
It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World 1963, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner 1967 and Oklahoma Crude 1973 all have great parts but I wouldn't go as far as calling them favorites.
I have both On the Beach 1959 and Ship of Fools 1965 on unseen DVD's someplace, but not where I thought I had them. Think they are still un-open too.
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and we still have it in the pile. Its a remarkably effective piece, so I'll bump it to the top.
