Cover Story

Cover Story [films featuring performers who appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine] Advise and Consent 1962, Political, 139 mins Starring: Peter Lawford, Charles Laughton, Henry Fonda Maltin Says 3 stars: Long but engrossing drama of Washington wheeling and dealing, from Allen Drury novel. After The Thin Man 1936, Mystery, 113 mins Starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Delightful second entry in the series finds the urbane Charleses in San Francisco and, when not inordinately inebriated, investigating murder charges brought against Loy's unstable cousin. Slightly overlong but first rate Airport 1970, Disaster, 137 mins Starring: Jacqueline Bisset, Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, Jean Seaburg Maltin Says 3.5 stars: ultraslick, old-fashioned movie that entertains in spite of itself, detailing hectic winter night at metropolitan airport. Alice Adams 1935, Drama / Comedy, 99 mins Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Frank Albertson Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Excellent small-town Americana with social-climbing girl finally finding love in person of unpretentious MacMurray. All the president's men 1976, political, 138 mins Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Robert Redford Maltin Says 4 stars: Redford and Hoffman play real-life Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, who persevered in their investigation of Watergate break-in that led to earthshaking scandal. Best elements of newspaper pictures, detective stories, and thriller All Through the Night 1942, spy, 107 mins Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Judith Anderson Maltin Says 3 stars: Bogart's gang tracks down Fifth Columnists in WWII NYC. Interesting blend of spy, gangster, and comedy genres Angels With Dirty Faces 1938, crime, 97 mins Starring: James Cagney, Humphrey Bogart Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Superior cast in archetypal tale of two playmates; one becomes a gangster, the other a priest. Anne of the Thousand Days 1969, historical, 145 mins Starring: Geneviève Bujold, Richard Burton Maltin Says 3 stars: Often inaccurate but totally engrossing, well-acted historical drama centering on Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII. Lovely scenery, brilliant performance by Bujold Back To Bataan 1945, War, 95 mins Starring: John Wayne Maltin Says 3 stars: Good, sturdy WWII action film with officer Wayne leading Filipino guerillas to victory in the South Pacific.

Ball of Fire 1941, comedy, 111 mins Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Burlesque dancer moves in with eight prissy professors to explain "slang" for their new encyclopedia Barefoot in the Park 1967, comedy, 105 mins Starring: Robert Redford, Jane Fonda Maltin Says 3 stars: Plotless, entertaining Neil Simon comedy finds Fonda and Redford newlyweds in five-story walkup apartment Becket 1964, Historical/Drama, 148 mins Starring: Richard Burton, Sir John Gielgud, Peter O'Toole Maltin Says 4 stars: Stunning filmcenters on stormy friendship between Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas à Becket and his English King, Henry II. Superbly acted and magnificently photographed Blithe Spirit 1945, comedy, 96 mins Starring: Constance Bennett, Rex Harrison Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Delicious adaptation of Noel Coward's comedy-fantasy about a man whose longdead first wife appears to haunt—and taunt—him in his newly married life. Boom Town 1940, drama, 116 mins Starring: Spencer Tracy, Clark Gable Maltin Says 3 stars: No surprises in tale of get-rich-quick drilling for oil, but star-studded cast gives it life. Born Yesterday 1950, comedy, 103 mins Starring: William Holden, Judy Holliday, Broderick Crawford Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Junk-dealer-made-good Crawford wants girlfriend culturefied, hires Holden to teach her in hilarious Boys' Night Out 1962, comedy, 115 mins Starring: Kim Novak, James Garner, Tony Randall Maltin Says 3 stars: Trio of married men and bachelor Garner decide to set up an apartment equipped with Novak. Bridges at Toko-Ri 1954, war, 103 mins Starring: William Holden, Grace Kelly Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Powerful, thoughtful drama, based on the James Michener best-seller, focusing on the conflicts and exploits of lawyer Holden after he is recalled by the Navy to fly jets in Korea. While the flying sequences are exciting, the ultimate futility of Korean Wa Bringing Up Baby 1938, comedy, 102 mins Starring: Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn Maltin Says 4 stars: Hepburn plays a madcap heiress—"Baby" is her pet leopard—who sets her sights on absentminded zoologist Grant and inadvertently (?) proceeds to make a shambles of his life. Now considered the definitive screwball comedy and one of the fastest, funniest fil Bus stop 1956, comedy, 96 mins Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray Maltin Says 3.5 stars: The film that finally proved Monroe really could act; excellent comedy-drama about innocent cowboy who falls for saloon singer and decides to marry her—without bothering to ask.

Bye Bye Birdie 1963, Musical/ Comedy, 112 mins Starring: Janet Leigh, Dick VanDyke, Paul Lynde Maltin Says 3 stars: Entertaining version of Broadway musical about drafted rock 'n' roll idol coming to small town to give "one last kiss" to one of his adoring fans. Cape Fear 1962, thriller, 105 mins Starring: Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum Maltin Says 3 stars: Mitchum is memorably (and believably) creepy as a wily Southern ex-con who blames lawyer Peck for his incarceration, and plots an insidious revenge on his family. Captain Newman, MD 1963, comedy/drama, 126 mins Starring: Gregory Peck, Angie Dickinson Maltin Says 3 stars: Provocative, well-acted comedy-drama about dedicated Army psychiatrist Peck, battling bureaucracy and the macho military mentality on a stateside air base during WWII Charly 1968, drama, 103 mins Starring: Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Robertson won Oscar for fine work as retarded man turned into super-brain in scientific experiment China Seas 1935, adventure, 90 mins Starring: Jean Harlow, Clark Gable Maltin Says 3 stars: Impossible to dislike film with that cast, even if the story—about mysterious goings-on and relationships on Gable's Singapore-bound ship—is ludicrous China Syndrome 1979, drama, 123 mins Starring: Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas, Jack Lemmon Maltin Says 4 stars: Heartpounding drama about attempted cover-up of accident at California nuclear plant is as much a probe of television news as it is a story of nuclear power—and it scores bullseye on both fronts. Come September 1961, comedy, 112 mins Starring: Rock Hudson, Gina Lollabrigida, Bobby Darin, Sandra Dee Maltin Says 3 stars: Frothy comedy about the younger generation (Darin and Dee) vs. the "older" folks (Hudson and Lollobrigida) at an Italian villa. Good fun Command Decision 1948, war, 112 mins Starring: Van Johnson, Clark Gable Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Taut, engrossing adaptation of the stage hit, with Gable a Flight Commander who knows that, to win the war, he must send his men on suicide missions over Germany. Intriguing look at behind-the-scenes politics of the U.S. war effort Coogan's Bluff 1968, Western/ Crime, 100 mins Starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee J Cogg, David Doyle Maltin Says 3 stars: Arizona lawman Eastwood comes to NYC to show city cops a thing or two about tracking down a wanted man. Stylish action film, good location work Country girl 1954, drama, 104 mins Starring: William Holden, Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Kelly won an Oscar as wife of alcoholic singer trying for comeback via help of director. Crosby excels in one of his finest roles.

Desk Set 1957, Romance / Comedy, 103 mins Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Gig Young Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Broadway play becomes a vehicle for Hepburn and Tracy, a guarantee for top entertainment. He's an efficiency expert automating her research department at a TV network; they clash, argue, and fall in love. Great fun Destry Rides Again 1939, western, 94 mins Starring: James Stewart, Marlene Deitrich Maltin Says 4 stars: Slam-bang, action-filled Western satire, with Stewart taming rowdy town without violence and tangling with boisterous dance-hall girl Dietrich Diamonds Are Forever 1971, Spy, 119 mins Starring: Sean Connery Maltin Says 3.5 stars: After a one-picture hiatus, Connery returned as James Bond in this colorful comicbook adventure set in Las Vegas Dinner at Eight 1933, comedy, 113 mins Starring: John Barrymore, Jean Harlow, Marie Dressler Maltin Says 4 stars: MGM constellation of stars portray various strata of society in NYC, invited to dine and shine; Harlow in fine comedy form, but Dressler as dowager steals focus Dr No 1962, spy, 111 mins Starring: Sean Connery Maltin Says 3.5 stars: First James Bond film is least pretentious, with meatier story, better all-round production of Ian Fleming caper. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb 1964, scifi/comedy, 93 mins Starring: Peter Sellers Maltin Says 4 stars: U.S. President must contend with the Russians and his own political and military leaders when a fanatical general launches A-bomb attack on U.S.S.R. Sellers plays the President, British captain, and mad inventor of the Bomb in this brilliant black comedy, Easter Parade 1948, Musical/Dance/Comedy, 103 mins Starring: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Delightful Irving Berlin musical about Astaire trying to forget ex-dance partner Miller while rising to stardom with Garland. Too good to watch just at Eastertime. Entertainer, The 1960, Drama, 97 mins Starring: Albert Finney, Laurence Olivier Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Seedy vaudevillian ruins everyone's life and won't catch on. Film captures flavor of chintzy seaside resort, complementing Olivier's brilliance as egotistical song-and-dance man. Fail Safe 1964, war/drama, 111 mins Starring: Walter Matthau, Henry Fonda Maltin Says 3.5 stars: U.S. bomber is accidentally ordered to nuke U.S.S.R., plunging heads of American and Russian governments into crisis of decision making as time runs out. High-tension drama done with taste and intelligence

Farmer's Daughter, The 1947, Political / Comedy, 97 mins Starring: Loretta Young, James Arness Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Young won Oscar for her performance as headstrong Swedish girl who fights for congressional seat against the man she loves. Delightful comedy with excellent cast. Fighting Seabees, The 1944, War, 100 mins Starring: John Wayne Maltin Says 3 stars: Spirited WWII saga of Wayne and O'Keefe stationed in South Pacific, forming Construction Battalion (Seabee) Unit For Whom the Bell Tolls 1943, war, 130 mins Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Gary Cooper Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Hemingway story of U.S. mercenary Cooper fighting for Spain with motley crew of peasants, including Bergman; tense action, beautiful color, great love scenes, marvelous score From Russia With Love 1963, Spy, 118 mins Starring: Sean Connery, Robert Shaw Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Second James Bond film is one of the best; plenty of suspense and action, and one of the longest, most exciting fight scenes ever staged Funny Face 1957, musical, 103 mins Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Stylish and highly stylized musical with Astaire as fashion photographer who turns Hepburn into chic Paris model Gathering of Eagles 1963, war/drama, 115 mins Starring: Rock Hudson, Rod Taylor Maltin Says 3 stars: Crisp Strategic Air Command drama with novelty of peacetime setting; Hudson gives one of his best performances as less than likable colonel whose wife struggles to adjust to being a military spouse Gentleman's Agreement 1947, Drama, 118 mins Starring: Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire Maltin Says 3 stars: Sincere Academy Award-winning adaptation of Hobson's novel of writer pretending to be Jewish, discovering rampant anti-Semitism. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 1953, Musical, 91 mins Starring: Marilyn Monroe, Jane Russell Maltin Says 3 stars: Slick, colorful bauble of entertainment with two sassy leading ladies tantalizing the men of two continents; Marilyn is at her best as fortune-hunter Lorelei Lee, and Russell gives a sly, knowing comic performance as her pal Glass Bottom Boat, The 1966, Comedy, 110 mins Starring: Doris Day, Paul Lynde Maltin Says 3 stars: Above-average Day nonsense, with widow Doris hired by research scientist Taylor as his biographer. He tries to seduce her; she's mistaken for a Russian spy Hatari! 1962, Drama, 159 mins Starring: John Wayne Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Marvelous lighthearted action film of wild-animal trappers in Africa, with just-right mixture of adventure and comedy. Wayne is at his best.

Haunting 1963, horror, 112 mins Starring: Julie Harris, Claire Bloom Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Ninety-year-old New England haunted house is setting for chosen group being introduced to the supernatural, with hair-raising results. Don't see this one alone! High Noon 1952, western, 84 mins Starring: Grace Kelly, Gary Cooper Maltin Says 4 stars: On his wedding—and retirement—day, marshal Cooper learns that a gunman is coming seeking revenge. Though he has good excuses for leaving, he feels responsible to stay and face the gunman—but no one in the town is willing to help His Girl Friday 1940, Comedy, 92 mins Starring: Cary Grant Maltin Says 4 stars: Splendid comedy remake of THE FRONT PAGE with Grant as conniving editor, Russell as star reporter (and his ex-wife), Bellamy as mama's boy she's trying to marry amid hot murder story. Houseboat 1958, Comedy, 110 mins Starring: Cary Grant Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Loren becomes Grant's housekeeper and takes his three motherless kids in hand. Predictable romance ensues, in this delightful comedy In a Lonely Place 1950, drama, 91 mins Starring: Humphrey Bogart Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Mature, powerful drama about a feisty, self-destructive screenwriter who has an affair with starlet while trying to clear himself of a murder rap. In the Heat of the Night 1967, crime, 109 mins Starring: Sidney Poitier, Rod Steiger Maltin Says 4 stars: Redneck Southern sheriff grudgingly accepts help from big-city black detective in solving bizarre murder. Marvelous social thriller hasn't dated one bit—tough, funny, and atmospheric, with unbeatable acting and splendid Inherit the Wind 1960, drama, 127 mins Starring: Spencer Tracy, Frederic March Maltin Says 3 stars: Absorbing adaptation of Jerome Lawrence-Robert E. Lee play based on notorious Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, when Clarence Darrow defended and William Jennings Bryan Jezebel 1938, drama, 103 mins Starring: Henry Fonda, Bette Davis Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Davis won her second Oscar as tempestuous Southern belle who goes too far to make fiancé Fonda jealous; Junior Bonner 1972, drama, 103 mins Starring: Steve McQueen, Ida Lupino Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Totally captivating rodeo comedy-drama as an aging McQueen returns to his home and family to take part in a local contest

Klute 1971, crime, 114 mins Starring: Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Fine combination detective-thriller/character-study, with Sutherland a private-eye searching for suburban husband last seen in NYC. Fonda won Oscar as call girl who once saw man in question. Kramer vs Kramer 1979, drama, 104 mins Starring: Dustin Hoffman Maltin Says 4 stars: Wife walks out on upwardly mobile husband, leaving him to fend for himself and their young son; an intelligent, beautifully crafted, intensely moving film. Letter 1940, drama, 95 mins Starring: Bette Davis Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Maugham drama set in Malaya, tells of murderess who tries to cover up her deed by pleading self-defense. Letter to Three Wives 1949, Drama, 103 mins Starring: Jean Crain, Kirk Douglas, Ann Sothern, Celeste Holm Maltin Says 4 stars: Delicious Americana showing reactions of three women who receive a letter from town flirt who has run off with one of their husbands. Lifeboat 1944, War/Drama, 96 mins Starring: Tallulah Bankhead Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Penetrating revelations about shipwreck survivors adrift in lonely lifeboat during WWII. Bankhead remarkable as spoiled journalist, Slezak fine as Nazi taken aboard. Only Hitchcock would take on the challenge of such a film—and succeed Lion in Winter 1968, Historical/Drama, 135 mins Starring: Peter O'Toole, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Timothy Dalton, Katharine Hepburn Maltin Says 4 stars: Brilliant, fierce, and personal drama of Henry II deliberating over a successor on fateful Christmas Eve. Little Foxes 1941, drama, 116 mins Starring: Bette Davis Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Hellman's play of greed and corruption within a Southern family on the financial outs, headed by majestic Davis as ruthless Regina. Love in the Afternoon 1957, romance, 130 mins Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Gary Cooper Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Forget age difference between Cooper and Hepburn and enjoy sparkling romantic comedy, with Chevalier as Audrey's private-eye dad. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 1955, romance, 102 mins Starring: William Holden, Jennifer Jones Maltin Says 3 stars: Well-mounted soaper set in Hong Kong at time of Korean War. Eurasian doctor Jones falls in love with war correspondent Holden. Trite telling of true story, beautifully executed, Magnificent Seven, The 1960, Western, 126 mins Starring: Yul Brenner, James Coburn Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Enduringly popular Western about paid gunslingers who try to rout the bandits who are devastating a small Mexican town.

McClintock 1963, comedy/drama, 122 mins Starring: John Wayne, Maurene O'Hara Maltin Says 3 stars: Brawling cattle baron G. W. McLintock (Wayne) locks horns with his feisty, estranged wife (O'Hara) who has returned home to get a divorce; their daughter visiting from college only complicates matters. Rowdy slapstick seldom stops—a giant mud pit free-for Network 1976, Drama, 121 mins Starring: Peter Finch, William Holden, Wesley Addy Maltin Says 4 stars: Paddy Chayefsky's outrageous satire on television looks less and less like fantasy as the years pass; uninhibited tale chronicles fourth-place network that will air anything for a big rating Nevada Smith 1966, western, 135 mins Starring: Steve McQueen, Karl Malden Maltin Says 3 stars: Good Western story. Smith swears revenge for senseless murder of his parents at the hands of outlaw gang Night Train to Munich 1940, war, 93 mins Starring: Rex Harrison Maltin Says 3 stars: Expert thriller about British intelligence agent Harrison trying to rescue Czech scientist who escaped from the Nazis to London only to be kidnapped back to Berlin. North to Alaska 1960, drama/crime, 122 mins Starring: John Wayne, Stewart Granter Maltin Says 3 stars: Fast-moving actioner with delightful tongue-in-cheek approach; prospectors Wayne and Granger have their hands full dealing with latter's kid brother Fabian, con artist Kovacs, and golddigging (in the other sense) Oklahoma! 1955, Western/ Musical/Dance, 145 mins Starring: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Roy Barcroft Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Expansive film version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's landmark 1943 Broadway musical, filled with timeless songs plus a fine supporting cast On Golden Pond 1981, drama, 109 mins Starring: Katherine Hepburn, Jane Fonda, Henry Fonda Maltin Says 3 stars: Fonda, in his last feature, is no less than brilliant as crochety retired professor Norman Thayer, Jr., angry at being 80 years old and scared of losing his faculties. Hepburn fine as his devoted, all-knowing wife who shares his summers at Maine lakefront On the Beach 1958, drama, 133 mins Starring: Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner Maltin Says 4 stars: Thoughtful version of Nevil Shute's novel about Australians awaiting effects of nuclear fallout from explosion that has destroyed the rest of the world. On the Beach 1958, drama, 133 mins Starring: Gregory Peck, Ava Gardner Maltin Says 4 stars: Thoughtful version of Nevil Shute's novel about Australians awaiting effects of nuclear fallout from explosion that has destroyed the rest of the world.

Paint Your Wagon 1969, Musical, 166 mins Starring: Clint Eastwood, Lee Marvin, Jean Seberg Maltin Says 3 stars: Splashy, expensive musical from Lerner-Loewe play about gold-rush days where prospectors Marvin and Eastwood share one wife… Pure entertainment; witty, often risque script Petrified Forest 1936, crime, 93 mins Starring: Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Solid adaptation of Robert Sherwood play, focusing on ironic survival of the physically fit in civilized world. Picnic 1955, drama, 115 mins Starring: William Holden, Kim Novak, Cliff Robertson Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Excellent film of William Inge play about drifter who stops over in Kansas, stealing alluring Novak from his old buddy Picnic 1955, drama, 115 mins Starring: William Holden, Kim Novak, Cliff Robertson Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Excellent film of William Inge play about drifter who stops over in Kansas, stealing alluring Novak from his old buddy Please Don't Eat The Daisies 1960, Comedy, 111 mins Starring: Doris Day, David Niven,Margaret Lindsay Maltin Says 3 stars: Bright film based on Jean Kerr's stories about a drama critic and his family. Postman Always Rings Twice 1946, crime, 113 mins Starring: Lana Turner, John Garfield Maltin Says 4 stars: Garfield and Turner ignite the screen in this bristling drama of lovers whose problems just begin when they do away with her husband (Kellaway Pride of the Yankees 1942, sports, 127 mins Starring: Theresa Wright, Gary Cooper Maltin Says 4 stars: Superb biography of baseball star Lou Gehrig, with Cooper giving excellent performance; fine support from Wright as devoted wife. Truly memorable final sequence Public Enemy 1931, crime, 84 mins Starring: James Cagney, Jean Harlow Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Prohibition gangster's rise and fall put Cagney on the map, and deservedly so; he makes up for film's occasional flaws and dated notions Rebecca 1940, thriller, 130 mins Starring: Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, Judith Anderson Maltin Says 4 stars: Hitchcock's first American film is sumptuous production of du Maurier novel of girl who marries nobleman but lives in shadow of his former wife. Stunning performances Romeo and Juliet 1968, Romance/Historical, 138 mins Starring: Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier Maltin Says 3.5 stars: One of the best cinematic versions of Shakespeare's immortal tale of two young lovers kept apart by their families

Rope 1948, Thriller, 80 mins Starring: James Stewart, Farley Granger Maltin Says 3 stars: Two young men kill prep-school pal, just for the thrill of it, and challenge themselves by inviting friends and family to their apartment afterward—with the body hidden on the premises. Run Silent, Run Deep 1958, war, 93 mins Starring: Burt Lancaster, Clark Gable Maltin Says 3 stars: Battle of wills between officers Gable and Lancaster on WWII submarine is basis for interesting drama. Sahara 1943, war, 97 mins Starring: Humphrey Bogart Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Excellent actioner of British-American unit stranded in Sahara desert in the path of Nazi infantry; Bogie's the sergeant, Sands of Iwo Jima 1949, war, 110 mins Starring: John Wayne Maltin Says 3 stars: Enormously popular WWII saga, with Wayne in one of his best roles, as a tough Marine top-sergeant. Sayonara 1957, drama/war, 147 mins Starring: Marlon Brando Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Romantic James Michener tale of Korean War pilot Brando falling in love with Japanese entertainer Taka; extremely well acted, Send Me No Flowers 1964, Romance / Comedy, 100 mins Starring: Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Paul Lynde Maltin Says 3 stars: Hypochondriac Rock, convinced he has a short time to live, has Randall find new husband for wife Doris. Funny script Separate Tables 1958, Drama, 99 mins Starring: Burt Lancaster, Rita Hayworth, Wendy Hiller, Deborah Kerr, David Niven Maltin Says 4 stars: Terence Rattigan's pair of romantic playlets set at English seaside resort are reworked here into superb drama Seven Year Itch 1955, comedy, 105 mins Starring: Marilyn Monroe Maltin Says 3 stars: While Ewell's wife is vacationing in the country, wide-eyed Tom fantasizes about the sexpot who moves in upstairs. This film entered the ranks of pop culture when Marilyn stepped on a subway grating wearing a billowy white skirt Shop Around the Corner 1940, romance, 97 mins Starring: James Stewart, Margaret Sullavan Maltin Says 3.5 stars: The ultimate in sheer charm, a graceful period comedy about coworkers in a Budapest notions shop who don't realize that they are lonelyhearts penpals. Sons of Katie Elder 1965, western, 122 mins Starring: John Wayne, Dean Martin Maltin Says 3 stars: Typical Western with Duke, Holliman, Anderson, and Martin the rowdy sons of frontier woman Katie Elder, who set out to avenge her death.

Spellbound 1945, Thriller, 111 mins Starring: Ingrid Bergman, Gregory Peck, Leo G Carroll Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Absorbing tale of psychiatrist Bergman trying to uncover Peck's hangups Splendor in the Grass 1961, Drama, 124 mins Starring: Natalie Wood, Warren Beatty, Sandy Dennis Maltin Says 3 stars: Sentimental sudser by William Inge about emotionally broken girl rebuilding her life; set in late 1920s Spy Who Came In from the Cold 1965, spy, 112 mins Starring: Richard Burton, Claire Bloom Maltin Says 3.5 stars: John Le Carré's potent account of a Cold War spy's existence—minus glamorous trappings of movie cliché. Burton is excellent as embittered agent at the end of his career Star is Born, A 1954, Musical, 154 mins Starring: James Mason, Judy Garland Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Powerful semi-musical with Garland and Mason at their peaks as doomed Hollywood star couple, she on the way up, he down. Streetcar Named Desire 1951, drama, 122 mins Starring: Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando Maltin Says 4 stars: Stunning production of Tennessee Williams' play, with Brando as the animalistic Stanley Kowalski and Leigh as his wistful, neurotic sister-in-law, Blanche Dubois, pressed together in a grim New Orleans tenement. Taming of the Shrew, The 1967, Comedy, 126 mins Starring: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Colorful version of Shakespeare's romp is well served by Richard and Elizabeth, good supporting cast, lovely photography, Tammy and the Bachelor 1957, comedy, 89 mins Starring: Debbie Reynolds, Leslie Nielsen, Walter Brennan Maltin Says 3 stars: Unpretentious if cutesy romantic corn of country girl Reynolds falling in love with pilot Nielsen whom she's nursed back to health after plane crash. Teacher's Pet 1958, Comedy, 120 mins Starring: Clark Gable, Mamie VanDoren, Gig Young, Marion Ross, Doris Day Maltin Says 3 stars: Self-educated city editor Gable clashes with journalism teacher Day in this airy, amusing comedy. Tender Trap 1955, comedy, 111 mins Starring: Frank Sinatra, Debbie Reynolds Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Delightful romp of swinging bachelor Sinatra who stumbles into marriage with determined Debbie in NYC; To Have and Have Not 1944, drama, 100 mins Starring: Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Hemingway's "worst novel" forms the basis for Hawks' version of CASABLANCA: tough skipper-for-hire Bogart reluctantly becomes involved with French Resistance, less reluctantly woos even tougher Bacall (in her film debut). Their legendary love scenes make

Touch of Evil 1958, crime, 108 mins Starring: Charlton Heston, Marlene Deitrich, Orson Welles, Janet Leigh Maltin Says 4 stars: Narc Heston and corrupt cop Welles tangle over murder investigation in sleazy Mexican border town, with Heston's bride Leigh the pawn of their struggle. Trouble With Harry, The 1955, Comedy, 99 mins Starring: Shirley MacLaine, John Forsythe, Jerry Mathers Maltin Says 3 stars: Offbeat, often hilarious black comedy courtesy Mr. Hitchcock and scripter John Michael Hayes about bothersome corpse causing all sorts of problems for peaceful neighbors in New England community. Trouble With Harry, The 1955, Comedy, 99 mins Starring: Shirley MacLaine, John Forsythe, Jerry Mathers Maltin Says 3 stars: Offbeat, often hilarious black comedy courtesy Mr. Hitchcock and scripter John Michael Hayes about bothersome corpse causing all sorts of problems for peaceful neighbors in New England community. True Grit 1969, western, 128 mins Starring: John Wayne, Kim Darby Maltin Says 3 stars: Film version of Charles Portis's wonderful novel about an over-the-hill marshal who helps 14-year-old track down her father's killer. Two for the Road 1967, comedy/drama, 112 mins Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney Maltin Says 3 stars: Beautifully acted film of bickering couple Hepburn and Finney stopping to reminisce about their twelve years of marriage, trying to work to save their happiness. Unfaithfully Yours 1948, comedy, 105 mins Starring: Rex Harrison Maltin Says 4 stars: Brilliant Sturges comedy of symphony conductor Harrison, who suspects his wife of infidelity and considers three courses of action (including murder) during concert Urban Cowboy 1980, drama, 135 mins Starring: John Travolta, Debra Winger Maltin Says 3 stars: A young hardhat new to Pasadena, Texas, gravitates to the incredible honky-tonk named Gilley's, with its easy women, macho ambience, and mechanical bull, perfecting an "image" of manhood that doesn't quite work out in real life Vertigo 1958, Thriller, 128 mins Starring: James Stewart, Kim Novak Maltin Says 4 stars: One of Hitchcock's most discussed films. Retired police detective Stewart, who has a fear of heights, is hired by old school chum in San Francisco to keep an eye on his wife (Novak), eventually falls in love with his quarry … and that's just the beginning Wait Until Dark 1937, thriller, 108 mins Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Richard Crenna, Alan Arkin Maltin Says 3 stars: Solid shocker with Hepburn as blind woman left alone in apartment, terrorized by psychotic Arkin and henchmen looking for heroin they think is planted there

Way we were 1973, romance, 118 mins Starring: Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand Maltin Says 3 stars: First-class love story about political activist Streisand and her opposite, Waspish Joe College-type Redford, from late 30s to early 50s. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 1962, thriller, 132 mins Starring: Joan Crawford, Bette Davis Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Far-fetched, thoroughly engaging black comedy of two former movie stars; Joan's a cripple at the mercy of demented sister Baby Jane Hudson (Davis). Bette has a field day in her macabre characterization Where Eagles Dare 1969, war, 158 mins Starring: Clint Eastwood, Richard Burton Maltin Says 3.5 stars: Modern-day version of Republic serial, with slam-bang cliff-hanger action that never lets up. Burton and company assigned to free American officer held captive in German mountain castle during WWII. Terrific Witness for the Prosecution 1957, mystery, 114 mins Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power, Elsa Lanchester, Charles Laughton Maltin Says 4 stars: Fantastically effective London courtroom suspenser from Agatha Christie play. Witness for the Prosecution 1957, Mystery, 114 mins Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Tyrone Power, Elsa Lanchester, Charles Laughton Maltin Says 4 stars: Fantastically effective London courtroom suspenser from Agatha Christie play. Dietrich is peerless as wife of alleged killer. Laughton at his best as defense attorney, and Lanchester delightful as his long-suffering nurse. Yours, Mine and Ours 1968, comedy, 111 mins Starring: Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda Maltin Says 3 stars: A wholesome family picture with some intelligent scripting. Based on real situation of widowed mother of eight marrying widower with ten more children.