50 Years of American Cinema
Created by Fidelio.
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Since its first publication in the early sixties and over various updates, "50 ans de cinéma américain" has become the Holy Book of most french cinephiles. Initially published by Jean-Pierre Coursodon and Yves Boisset (with Bertrand Tavernier writing some unsigned articles) as an opuscule called "20 ans de cinéma américain", the book has been totally restructured by Coursodon and Tavernier in the early seventies as "30 ans de cinéma américain", then in 1991 as "50 ans de cinéma américain" and finally updated - for the time being - in 1995.
Due to its form and long sedimentation, division into many sections and the piling up of informations over the years, none list here can really do justice to this book. The highlight and largest section of the book is indisputably the "Dictionary of filmmakers" in which the authors virtually discuss the whole filmographies of more than 250 american directors (this part can't be materialized into a list).
The present list focuses on the first part of the book, a timeline between 1939 and 1993 including the most important and noteworthy movies of each year ("works"). Please note that this section also includes other comments ("facts" and "talents") impossible to transpose here.
The two authors bring up the unmissable masterpieces and commercial triumphs but also a lot of personal picks from overlooked directors or victims of the blacklist (residue of their early years as fervent publicists). They deliberately include some turkeys ("le coin du nanar") and obscurities ("à redécouvrir"), with a strong attention to short features (mainly cartoons).
I hope this list, despite its flaws and restriction to american movies, could be of some utility to ICM users and bring to light which is my favorite book about movies (along with the "Dictionary of Films" from Jacques Lourcelles).
The authors are currently working on a definitive edition of their book - presumably entitled "100 ans de cinéma américain" - that will considerably enlarge the scope, starting from 1914 and to likely reach 2014. Needless to say that most of the previously summoned french cinephiles are awaiting for this like men of God were devotedly expecting the Parousia back in the days.
Missing : "Seven lively arts" (John Hubley, 1959) ???
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157 new
Alias Nick Beal
1949 — a.k.a. The Contact Man, in 2 top lists Check -
164 new
Not Wanted
1949, in 0 top lists Check -
165 new
All the King's Men
1949, in 8 top lists Check -
166 new
A Letter to Three Wives
1949, in 5 top lists Check -
167 new
On the Town
1949, in 10 top lists Check -
168 new
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
1949, in 8 top lists Check -
170 new
Under Capricorn
1949, in 3 top lists Check -
171 new
Adam's Rib
1949, in 8 top lists Check -
172 new
The Set-Up
1949, in 10 top lists Check -
173 new
Champion
1949, in 2 top lists Check -
174 new
The Fountainhead
1949, in 2 top lists Check -
175 new
White Heat
1949, in 15 top lists Check -
176 new
Criss Cross
1949, in 6 top lists Check -
177 new
Reign of Terror
1949 — a.k.a. The Black Book, in 1 top list Check -
178 new
Twelve O'Clock High
1949, in 4 top lists Check -
179 new
Sword in the Desert
1949, in 0 top lists Check -
180 new
The Crooked Way
1949, in 1 top list Check -
181 new
Mighty Joe Young
1949, in 0 top lists Check -
182 new
Bad Luck Blackie
1949, in 2 top lists Check -
183 new
Little Rural Riding Hood
1949, in 2 top lists Check -
184 new
Fast and Furry-ous
1949, in 1 top list Check -
185 new
The Magic Fluke
1949, in 0 top lists Check -
186 new
Ragtime Bear
1949, in 0 top lists Check -
206 new
Never Fear
1950, in 0 top lists Check
Last updated on May 13, 2018;