In 1919, four major players in the film industry; DW Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbansdk, foresaw the increasing commercialization of the business as a detriment. Together they founded their own studio which would grant actors and filmmakers creative freedom. Fittingly they named this new project United Artists. Aside from producing their own films, United Artists also served as a distributor for several independent and foreign films. Because of them mainstream audiences were allowed to see masterpieces they would not have seen otherwise. This year the legendary studio celebrates a century in the movie business, so it is fitting to take a look at some of their most influential and greatest films.
Steamboat Bill Jr.: Chaplin was not the only silent comedy great who worked with United Artists as the stone-faced funny man Buster Keaton also worked with the studio. The great boat captain "Steamboat" Bill is looking forward to seeing how much of a man college has made his son William Jr. Needless to say he is disappointed to see the young man is a small dandy who is in love with his business rival's daughter. But when a storm hits their town, Bill Jr. is thrust into the role of hero to save his girlfriend and father with plenty of hilarious physical gags along the way. This includes the house falling gag which became an iconic part of his act. Sadly during Steamboat Bill Jr would be Keaton's final film with United Artists, as his business partner signed a deal to take their work to MGM. This would be the beginning of Buster Keaton losing the freedom to create his own works.
Far too often in romantic films the story is centered on two young good looking people. That is exactly why is held as a fan favorite to this day. Ernest Borgnine in an Oscar winning performance plays Marty, a butcher in his mid-thirties who has resigned himself to a life of bachelorhood. But his life makes an unexpected turn at the dance hall when he meets Clara who he instantly forms a connection with. Though they spend an unforgettable night growing closer, Marty's friends diss her as a dog and his mother disapproves of some "college girl" trying to take him away. Does Marty have what it takes to pursue true love even if it alienates everyone in his life? Marty was produced for the purpose of losing money as a tax write-off because who would want to see a love story with two ordinary schlubs? Apparently the answer was plenty of people as the movie was a box office smash which stormed the Oscars and became the first American film to win the prestigious Palme d'Or.
Sweet Smell of Success: A film which showcases the dark side of the media in a way that is nothing short of cool. Sleazy press agent Sidney Falco knows that for his clients to be happy they must get a mention in the column of the all-powerful JJ Hunsecker. This will not happen unless he goes along with Hunsecker's plot to ruin his sister's relationship with a musician. Being a man of no morals Falco goes along with it, but he finds the more he works with the columnist the more he is expected to lose his soul for the sake of power and fame. Manhattan in the 1950's never looked better than it does in Sweet Smell of Success thanks to legendary cinematographer James Wong Howe. His moody imagery combined with a smooth jazzy score make this movie an enthralling glimpse at the worst of the press.
West Side Story: A classic musical courtesy of legendary director Robert Wise who brought the Broadway play to life with perfection. The West Side of Manhattan serves as the conflict grounds for two rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks. During a dance the two gangs and their associates are forced into the same gym and it is here that Maria, the sister of the Sharks' leader falls for the second-in-command of the Jets, Tony. As they fall madly in love with each other the tension between the rival gangs heats up with the couple caught in the middle. West Side Story has gone on to be renowned as one of the all-time great cinematic musicals and still brings joy to fans to this day.
One of United Artists' great contribution to the world of cinema was helping to introduce audiences to a spy named Bond...James Bond. When one of his fellow MI6 agents goes missing in Jamaica, Bond is dispatched to investigate what happened. Immediately the suave secret agent finds himself targeted by those working for reclusive mad genius Dr. No. As he works to uncover what Dr. No is up to, Bond crosses paths with inaugural Bond Girl, Honey Ryder. On a tiny budget, Dr. No became a massive hit with audiences and spawned the James Bond film franchise which still continues to this day.
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World: A movie which proudly proclaimed it featured anyone who was ever funny this classic lived up to the grand expectations. After directing dramatic classics like Inherit the Wind and the Defiant Ones, director Stanley Kramer felt the need to take his talents to comedy. But this would be no ordinary comedy as he assembled a cast filled with the likes of: Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Mickey Rooney, Jonathan Winters, Sid Caesar, Jerry Lewis, Jack Benny, Buster Keaton, Don Knotts, and the Three Stooges, all led by frequent Kramer collaborator Spencer Tracey. A dying fugitive reveals to those with him in his final moments the location of the loot he got from a previous library. This sense them into a madcap race to find the money, all the while the detective who has pursuing the now-dead fugitive is close on the trail.
In the Heat of the Night: Legendary actor Sidney Poitier portrays what may be his definitive character Virgil Tibbs, but they call him Mr. Tibbs. Driving through Mississippi on family matters, Tibbs is pulled over and accused of murder. Though he is naturally proven innocent it is clear that, Gillespie, the officer in charge of the murder investigation is in over his head and Tibbs is pulled into aiding him. As tension in the small southern town grows, Tibbs and Gillespie form a begrudging respect for one another as they try to solve an increasingly complex case. This gritty Southern-fried crime drama spawned two sequels and a TV show though none of them measured up to the original In the Heat of the Night.
Years of parody and lackluster sequels may have diminished it's reputation, but the original Rocky was a gritty and emotional character study of an underdog. In a star making performance Sylvester Stallone portrays Rocky Balboa a bottom-barrel boxer trying to impress his crush Adrian. Seemingly out of nowhere the heavyweight champion of the world Apollo Creed comes to Philadelphia and offers Rocky a shot at the title. Though this is meant as a gimmick, the downtrodden fighter knows this is a once in a lifetime chance and pours his heart and soul into training. It all comes down to one climactic fight, where even if Rocky fights for the title as well as personal victory.
Raging Bull: One of the best works from director Martin Scorsese and frequent collaborator Robert DeNiro dramatizes the life of famed boxer Jake LaMotta. After winning a breakthrough fight LaMotta is on the map of the mob who runs the boxing world. As his career begins to pick-up the fighter's personal life goes deeper into chaos as he jealously tries to control his young wife. Through tribulations and even a suspension, Jake eventually gets run a run with the middleweight championship. Like with most great boxing films, the focus is not on the sport but rather on the athlete and his controversial life. Though the level of violence and mature subject matter made moviegoers timid about the film at first, Raging Bull has gone on to be recognized as a masterpiece.
