List o’ the Week: Movies I’ve Never Seen
The Champ? Never seen it.
While sitting at the car dealer the other day, waiting for my 17-year-old Love Bug to get new brakes (Hour Three, I believe it was), I had an idea for a new feature here at Shadows and Satin – the List o’ the Week. (You were expecting something more innovative? Believe me, between my crossing eyes and numb behind, it was a miracle I could think at all.)
For my inaugural list, I offer you the top 20 well-known movies that I’ve never seen. Never!
“His Girl Friday,” yes. “The Front Page,” no.
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind
- Apocalypse Now
- 2001: A Space Odyssey
- An American in Paris
- Ben-Hur
- Bridge on the River Kwai
- The Front Page
- Boys’ Town
- Dirty Dancing
- Dr. Strangelove (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb)
- Dr. Zhivago
- Modern Times
- Lawrence of Arabia
- Meet Me in St. Louis
- The Quiet Man
- The Champ
- Roman Holiday
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Oklahoma
- Gunga Din
What are some of the famous films that you’ve missed? Do you plan to check them out some day – or are you like me and really have no intention of seeing them? (Except for Boys’ Town. Love me some Mickey Rooney!) Are there any on my list that I should make a point to see? Let me know!
shadowsandsatin 
I like your list of the week idea, Karen!
I’ve been trying to catch up myself on some previously unseen classics, which led to me making a list of 10 unseen classic movies to watch both last year and this year. It’s been an interesting project. I’ve loved some of the films and discovered that maybe there was a reason I’d never gotten around to seeing others, I guess I knew going in they might not be my particular cup of tea.
I’ve seen half the films on your list above, and one of them is one of my three favorite films of all time — MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS. It’s an absolute treasure and the one I would most recommend. I coudn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it.
I’ve also seen THE QUIET MAN and AN AMERICAN IN PARIS many, many times, including some special experiences in theaters.
I also love RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, which I first saw at a sold-out sneak preview the week before it opened — if you ever see it, it’s better with an enthusiastic audience to laugh and scream along with you. It’s a thrill ride of a movie!
Best wishes,
Laura
Hi, Laura! I will certainly give Meet Me in St. Louis a try — I’m not a big musical fan, but I am quite fond of Judy Garland, so maybe I’ll fall in love with it! Interestingly, Ben-Hur is just starting on TCM right now, but I don’t think I’ll be watching the whole thing. It’s funny — I remember when it came on TV when I was a child. My entire family was watching it in the living room, and I opted to stay in my room and watch this movie called Fathom, starring Raquel Welch and Tony Franciosa. (There’s no accounting for taste . . .)
Only a classic movie buff would list the original Front Page ahead of Raiders of the Lost Ark. 🙂 Regardless, Roman Holiday is one of my absolute favs– check it out!!
Hi, Danny — actually Roman Holiday is one of the few that I have in my collection, so I am going to take your advice and give it a try!
Karen,
I admire your guts in posting a list of not seen films. There are so many that I haven’t seen as well. (None from your list though) I did not see Citizen Kane until last fall. Most people couldn’t believe it. Being considered ‘The Greatest Film Ever Made” and all I felt embarrassed to admit that. Then as soon as I got around to watching it, the dang list changed and Vertigo took it’s place. ha ha
I think the majority of ‘classic’ films I haven’t seen fall into the Musical category since I don’t care for musicals. I’ve watched a few here and there and I just recently watched “Hello Dolly” which I couldn’t stand. So I’m back to not watching Musicals AGAIN. ha ha
OH, I had never seen North by Northwest until a couple of months ago. It’s hard to admit that too considering Cary Grant is my favorite comedic actor of all time. Perhaps because I don’t care for his serious roles. After watching it, I couldn’t see why it is so many peoples fav. Hitchcock film but that’s just my opinion. I haven’t seen 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea or Reservoir Dogs either. (Reservoir Dogs in on my watch list though)
I guess I should go now and hide my head for a bit.
Page
Page, we are sisters under the mink — I’m not a big musical fan either. I can pretty much count on one hand the ones I’ve seen. (And Hello, Dolly isn’t one of them, LOL!) Interestingly, the few that I’ve seen, I’m wild about, and can watch them again and again. I’m just not open to new ones! I’d love to know what you think of Reservoir Dogs when you see it — I love Quentin Tarantino and I think it’s great. (BTW, I also haven’t seen 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea!) Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone! 🙂
Wow, that’s quite a list. And not to be a snob, I’ve not seen ALL of the films listed. But if and when you do attempt to see some of these, you will not be disappointed. Some of these are the classics of the classics.
But two other considerations. First, some of these (if not all) can be better appreciated by viewing them in a theater. And in age of vanishing film, to be seen in a theater on film. (Hints of snobbish again.) But alas, seeing classic films in a theater is becoming, or is already, rare.
Second, even if you don’t ‘like’ a film, it’s importance can be better understood by considering its context. Or when it came out. I think Citizen Kane is a good example. We may say ho hum today, but compared to the cinema of it’s day, Citizen Kane was a remarkable film. For many reasons we won’t delve into here.
Otherwise, thanks for the blog. And when the time comes, enjoy!
Thanks for your insights, Ross! There are actually several (in addition to Boys’ Town) that I wouldn’t mind seeing — like Roman Holiday and The Front Page (which is one of the first movies I bought on VHS but, for some reason, I’ve never been able to watch past 10 minutes or so). And I’ve heard good things about Gunga Din and would like to give it a try one day, too. Thank you again for your thoughtful comments!
I am very remiss in my foreign-language film education, having seen only a modest number in my college days. So, my need-to-see list includes: The Children of Paradise, Floating Weeds, Throne of Blood (I had a chance to see it this year and muffed it), and The Apu Trilogy.
Wow, Rick — you may be remiss, but at least you know what you’ve missed! I must say I’ve never heard of those you listed — but just your mentioning them makes me want to check them out! 🙂
Most of those films that you have listed that I have seen are so-so. I do recommend watching Boys Town (because it’s swell!) and Lawrence of Arabia for the experience. If you like Mickey Rooney, Boys Town is a great film.
Hi, Raquel! I will definitely be checking out Boys Town — I saw the first 15 minutes or so a few months back and was shocked at how much I was enjoying it. And I just heard something about Lawrence of Arabia yesterday on the radio (a new blu-ray anniversary edition, I believe) that certainly piqued my interest. Thanks for the recommendations!
I am indifferent to pretty much any movie made after 1970. Anything “Star Wars”. Most Frank Capra movies except his earliest films. After “The Bitter Tea of General Yen” I just don’t like his films enough to watch.
Hi, Muriel — I’m a big Capra fan, but I’ve never seen The Bitter Tea of General Yen! I will have to add that to the list . . .
Like you I haven’t seen most of the movies on your list…I don’t like big historical epics like Ben Hur, River Kwai and Dr. Zhivago. I should feel guilty about it, but I don’t.
Of the movies on your list which I have seen, I would recommend you check out Meet Me In St. Louis…it’s a warm family musical that really works especially at this time of year. And if ever there was a film noir type child actor, it’s Margaret O’Brien as she’s intense in Meet Me in St. Louis.
Hi, Charles! Wow, Meet Me in St. Louis certainly is getting a lot of votes — I will definitely be watching it this season. Thanks!
what a great idea!! i love lists of any kind, and film buffs like to tell each other what to watch anyway. No shame in admitting you haven’t seen something either– my foreign, scifi and 70s knowledge has more holes than swiss cheese. If you need more votes on what to watch first of these, I vote for KWAI, Meet Me in St.Louis (like Laura I’ve seen this so many times) and Raiders. then write reviews on them.
Thanks, Kristina! Your recommendations will help a lot — I think I’ll start with Meet Me in St. Louis!
You have some wonderful treats waiting for you – I’m really interested in reading your reviews when you do see them. 🙂 A famous movie I’ve never seen is Dr. Zhivago.
Hi, R.A. — I gave Dr. Zhivago a try years ago, but I just couldn’t get into it. I’d been looking so forward to it, too — even bought it on VHS (which was a big thing for me, back in the day). Since reading everyone’s comments, I’m becoming more intrigued by the idea of trying to watch them all!
I highly, highly recommend watching 2001, Apocalypse Now, Ben-Hur and Modern Times. Bridge on the River Kwai is long, but very good (2001 and Ben-Hur are also both very long and better films).
Thanks for weighing in, David! I’m going to keep track of these recommendations and give them a try. I did check out Ben-Hur last week, but I only lasted about 20 minutes!
Have patience with Ben-Hur. I think the opening credits and musical introduction is about 10 minutes long. The ending, to me, doesn’t make a lot of sense. But that chariot race is one of the most incredible scenes I’ve ever seen – though it is better on the big screen.
I will give it a try, David!