Checking Out: Grand Hotel (2004)

Actors: Walter Huston (actor), Jean Hersholt (actor), Lew Ayres (actor), Edmund Goulding (actor), Wallace Beery (actor), John Barrymore (actor), Lionel Barrymore (actor), John Barrymore (actor), Jackie Cooper (actor), Lionel Barrymore (actor), Jimmy Durante (actor), Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (actor), Clark Gable (actor), Wallace Beery (actor), Tom Kane (actor),

Plot: The making of the Oscar-winning classic, "Grand Hotel" was rife with blazing egos and star behavior unlike anything else in Hollywood history. Never before had there existed an all-star, ensemble cast on film, and none with so many heavyweights as MGM could provide. Concieved by MGM's production genius Irving Thalberg, (who brainstormed the notion of an ensemble cast for the film) the film boasted names like Garbo, Crawford, Beery and two Barrymores, went on have its celebrated premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre and won the Academy Award for best picture. Thus, the ensemble cast film became a staple for the studio, who went on to produce "Dinner at Eight" and several others in the ensuing years.

Keywords: archive-footage, hollywood-history, making-of, movie-premiere
Genres: Documentary, Short,

Thick as Thieves (1999)

Actors: Rebecca De Mornay (actress), Janeane Garofalo (actress), Michael Jai White (actor), Jack McGee (actor), Al Sapienza (actor), Robert Miano (actor), Michael Hitchcock (actor), Andre Braugher (actor), Alec Baldwin (actor), Mark Adair-Rios (actor), Tom Everett (actor), Richard Edson (actor), Bruce Greenwood (actor), Christophe Beck (composer), Julia Sweeney (actress),

Plot: Two master thieves go at odds with one another as one sets the other up for a crime. The first, a suave pro who does his job and then hides in his own privacy, listening to old jazz records and caring for his ailing dog, Wally. The other is a local gangster with a taste for the finer life, who decides to eliminate the competition. This ignites a war between the two men and their aides. An angry mob boss and a female police officer try to sort the mess before things get too out of hand.

Keywords: 1980s, 1990s, arrest, attempted-murder, bar, based-on-novel, blood-splatter, blowtorch, boyfriend-girlfriend-relationship, bus-ride
Genres: Crime, Drama,
Taglines: It's all about payback.

Quotes:

Unknown: What kind of brother drives a Volvo, anyway?::Pointy: The kind that appreciates safety.::Pointy: Check it; this thing's got side-impact airbags.::Pointy: I get in a wreck it's all good; straighter than straight.

Riles: I don't want to know if you gave Williams the motel. See, if you gave up the motel, I'd probably have to whack you. Instead, what I'm gonna do is let bygones be bygones. That's the whole problem here. No one wants to let go of the past. Well, I'm letting go of the past, Ricky, 'cause guys like you and me, we have to worry about the future. Am I right?

Pointy: "You can take the bitch outta the ghetto, but you just can't take the bitch outta the ghetto!"

Pointy: From Gary huh, let me tell you where I'm from. A little place called "fresh off a nigga's ass." You just made me homesick.

Cop: Come on, we're headin' downtown.::Sugar Bear: Where your warrant at?::Cop: Behind that preposition.::Sugar Bear: What?::Cop: Didn't you go to school? You can't end a sentence with a preposition.::Sugar Bear: Oh. Then, uh, where your warrant at, motherfucker?

Dink: I'm so tired of the drama.

[last lines]::Mackin, 'The Thief': You are one ugly dog.

Cost of Living (1997)

Actors: Edie Falco (actress), Bill Sage (actor), Madison Arnold (actor), Brett Rickaby (actor), Christine Gee (miscellaneous crew), James Villemaire (actor), Andrew Lowery (actor), John G. Connolly (actor), Charles M. Lum (miscellaneous crew), Caitlin Clarke (actress), Amy Van Horne (actress), Stephen Beach (actor), Paula Cohen (producer), Michael Turney (actor), Stan Schofield (director),

Genres: Thriller,
Taglines: A film about one woman's personal freedom and the price she pays to keep it.

Spaceballs (1987)

Actors: Stephen Tobolowsky (actor), Tim Russ (actor), Jack Riley (actor), Mike Pniewski (actor), Bill Pullman (actor), Jerry Maren (actor), Rob Paulsen (actor), Mel Brooks (actor), John Candy (actor), Dom DeLuise (actor), Tony Cox (actor), John Hurt (actor), Mel Brooks (actor), Michael Winslow (actor), Dick Van Patten (actor),

Plot: King Roland of the planet Druidia is trying to marry his daughter Princess Vespa to Prince Valium, but Vespa is kidnapped by the evil race of the Spaceballs. The Spaceballs ask Roland a tremendous ransom: all the air of Druidia (you see, the air of Spaceball had serious pollution problems...). The King decides to offer a generous amount of money to a space rogue, Lone Starr, to persuade him to save Vespa. What follows is the parody of a _LOT_ of famous SF movies.

Keywords: actor-playing-multiple-roles, alien, alien-civilization, alien-contact, alien-invasion, alien-space-craft, alien-technology, android, battle, botched-teleportation
Genres: Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi,
Taglines: May The Farce Be With You May the schwartz be with you. Once upon a time warp in deep space, the struggle between the nice & the rotten goes on... Revenge of the Schtick

Quotes:

Dark Helmet: So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb.

[after their Schwartz sabers get twisted]::Dark Helmet: Shit! I hate it when I get my Schwartz twisted.

[as Lone Starr dodges laser blasts from Dark Helmet's Schwartz]::Dark Helmet: Very impressive, Lone Starr. Too bad this isn't the Wild World of Sports.

[after attempting to get out of a chair with his seatbelt on]::Barf: Oh! That's gonna leave a mark.

[after the self-destruction mechanism has been activated]::President Skroob: Sandurz, Sandurz. You got to help me. I don't know what to do. I can't make decisions. I'm a president!

[when Lone Star and Barf stops on the outer space gas-station]::Waitress: Ready to order?::Woman in Diner: Ah, yes, we'll both have the lunafish.

Yogurt: Merchandising, merchandising, where the real money from the movie is made. Spaceballs-the T-shirt, Spaceballs-the Coloring Book, Spaceballs-the Lunch box, Spaceballs-the Breakfast Cereal, Spaceballs-the Flame Thrower.::[turns it on]::Dink, Dink, Dink, Dink, Dink, Dink: Ooooh!::Yogurt: [reacts to dinks] The kids love this one.::[a dink hands him a doll that looks likes Yogurt]::Yogurt: And last but not least, Spaceballs the doll, me.::[pulls string]::Doll: May the schwartz be with you!::Yogurt: [kisses the doll] Adorable.

[nurse exits]::Dark Helmet: I bet she gives great helmet.

[upon going into "ludicrous speed"]::Dark Helmet: My brains are going into my feet!

Ape #1: [as the Spaceballs and what is left of Mega Maid land on the Planet of the Apes] Dear me. What are these things coming out of her nose?::Dark Helmet: [One of the apes takes his binoculars out and sees Colonel Sandurz, Dark Helmet, and President Skroob coming out of Mega Maid's nose] Hey, hey, hey. Watch my Helmet.::Ape #2: Spaceballs.::Ape #1: Oh, shit. There goes the planet.

Hide in Plain Sight (1980)

Actors: James Caan (director), Alice Drummond (actress), Leonard Rosenman (composer), David Margulies (actor), Josef Sommer (actor), Jill Eikenberry (actress), Peter Maloney (actor), Joe Grifasi (actor), Charles Hallahan (actor), Danny Aiello (actor), James Caan (actor), Chuck Hicks (actor), David Clennon (actor), Julie Pitkanen (miscellaneous crew), Kenneth McMillan (actor),

Plot: This was based on a true story. About a man (Caan) who discovers that his ex-wife has disappeared along with their children. It seems that her new boyfriend works for some criminals. After being arrested, the government offers to let him enter the newly developed Witness Protection Program in exchange for testifying against his employers. His bosses instruct him to marry his girlfriend so that she can't testify against him, they promise that they will take care of her. When he learns that they have done nothing, he accepts the government's offer. So, he and his wife and her children enter the program. Now her ex-husband goes to a lawyer because he wants to sue the government for keeping him away from his children.

Keywords: assumed-identity, bank-robber, bank-robbery, based-on-book, based-on-true-story, bureaucracy, custody, directed-by-star, ex-husband-ex-wife-relationship, father-child-relationship
Genres: Drama,

Grand Theft Auto (1977)

Actors: Roger Corman (producer), Rance Howard (writer), Leo Rossi (actor), Marion Ross (actress), Ken Lerner (actor), Rance Howard (producer), Paul Bartel (actor), Garry Marshall (actor), Hoke Howell (actor), Ron Howard (actor), Allan Arkush (actor), Clint Howard (actor), Rance Howard (actor), Ron Howard (director), Ron Howard (writer),

Plot: Paula Powers, daughter of wealthy gubernatorial candidate Bigby Powers, decides to reject her parents' attempt at matchmaking and run off to Vegas to marry her sweetheart, Sam Freeman. As they drive away in a stolen Rolls-Royce, spurned suitor Collins Hedgeworth follows behind in hot pursuit, along with a cadre of goons hoping to get the $25,000 reward that's been offered for Paula's return. Can the young lovers make it to Vegas for a quickie wedding before the forces of conformity and privilege arrive to put a stop to their romance?

Keywords: camp, car-chase, cult-film, demolition-derby, driving-through-building, dynamite, exploding-car, goofball, grand-theft-auto, helicopter
Genres: Action, Comedy, Crime, Romance,
Taglines: See the greatest cars in the world destroyed!

Quotes:

[last lines]::Paula Powers: So, what do you think, where are we on our 50th anniversary?::Sam Freeman: Right here. I will never leave the car!::Paula Powers: Whoa! [kisses him]

[first lines]::[Paula has brought Sam to her home]::Priscilla Powers: Aagh! Paula, how could you do this?::Paula Powers: Come on, mom, PLEASE don't be so dramatic!::Priscilla Powers: I have been planning for months the weddings of you and Collins Hedgeworth.::Paula Powers: No, mother! He didn't ask me, he asked *you*!::Bigby Powers: Shut up, young lady! Just sit down and sit your lips. You are engaged to Collins Hedgeworth.::Bigby Powers: [to Sam] Did you know, that she was engaged to Collins Hedgeworth?::Sam Freeman: Sir, I realize, that there is a conflict, but...::Bigby Powers: [to Priscilla] You see, he understands...::Bigby Powers: [to Sam] You are the comflict, jackass!::Sam Freeman: Mr. Powers, we are in love. And I think, that it should be fair, if you were invited to the wedding, that's all!::Bigby Powers: Get out of my manshion!

Ace: [Chasing Rolls Royce through desert] The brakes are gone! Jump!::Sparky: Shiiiit!::Sparky: [Driverless car continues on, disappearing behind large hill] Listen, it stopped...::Ace: Maybe we can fix it.::Sparky: [Car explodes in flames] I think not.

Bride: [after falling out of rear of stolen camper] Couldn't wait could you? Mister Ever-hard!

Vivian Hedgeworth: You know how irresponsible young people can be.::Officer Tad: If he is anything like *you*, lady, he would belong to jail!

[after driven through an apartment, lands on a pool; speaking into radio]::Curly Q. Brown: Ladies and gentlemen... I'm speechless!

Ace: Sparky, think you can hotwire this mother?::Sparky: Know the scene, old man, El Keyo and El Ignitionario. I crack myself up when I talk Mexican.

Vigilantes of Boomtown (1947)

Actors: Bobby Barber (actor), Roy Barcroft (actor), Robert Blake (actor), Harlan Briggs (actor), Budd Buster (actor), George Chesebro (actor), Tommy Coats (actor), John Dehner (actor), Earle Hodgins (actor), Roscoe Karns (actor), Allan Lane (actor), George Lloyd (actor), Jack Low (actor), LeRoy Mason (actor), Ted Adams (actor),

Plot: The ranch of Red Ryder (Allan Lane) and his aunt, The Duchess (Martha Wentworth), is being used as the training site for "Gentleman Jim" Corbett (George Turner) for his upcoming fight in Carson City, Nevada for the heavyweight championship against Bob Fitzsimmons (John Dehner). Molly McVey (Peggy Stewart), the daughter of a U.S. Senator, crusading against prize-fighting in Nevada, complicates matters soemwhat when she conceives the bright idea of having Corbett kidnapped, thus causing the cancellation of the fight. The two men (George Chesebro and George Lloyd) she hires to do the kidnapping also add to the complications by kidnapping Ryder instead of Corbett. Meanwhile, a gang of crooks, led by McKean (Roy Barcroft), descend on the town intent on looting the town and also making off with the fight proceeds.

Keywords: red-ryder-series
Genres: Western,
Taglines: THE WEST BOOMS TO THE ROAR OF SIX-GUNS! Red rides an action-packed trail to red-blooded adventure!

Without Reservations (1946)

Actors: Fred Coby (actor), Eric Alden (actor), Fred Aldrich (actor), Tom Chatterton (actor), Robert Anderson (actor), Charles Arnt (actor), Griff Barnett (actor), William 'Billy' Benedict (actor), Lee Bennett (actor), Jack Benny (actor), John Bleifer (actor), Phil Brown (actor), Raymond Burr (actor), William Challee (actor), James Conaty (actor),

Plot: Kit Madden is traveling to Hollywood, where her best-selling novel is to be filmed. Aboard the train, she encounters Marines Rusty and Dink, who don't know she is the author of the famous book, and who don't think much of the ideas it proposes. She and Rusty are greatly attracted, but she doesn't know how to deal with his disdain for the book's author.

Keywords: based-on-novel, gas-station, love-at-first-sight, orchid, train, writing
Genres: Comedy, Romance,
Taglines: Transcontinental Romance - Unlimited!!! Uh-oh! Danger Signals ahead! Claudette on a Pullman without a ticket...He-man Wayne aboard without a care!...Laugh-power setting for the screen's most sparkling gem of excitingly amorous adventure!

The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady (1942)

Actors: Jean Negulesco (director), Roland Drew (actor), Frank Ferguson (actor), Fred Kelsey (actor), Frank Mayo (actor), Vera Lewis (actress), Lottie Williams (actress), Jack Scholl (writer), Howard Jackson (composer), Leo White (actor), Frank Wilcox (actor), Leah Baird (actress), Al Shean (actor), Jean Inness (actress), Patti Hale (actress),

Genres: Musical, Short,

The Champ (1931)

Actors: King Vidor (producer), Wallace Beery (actor), Edward Brophy (actor), Jackie Cooper (actor), Roscoe Ates (actor), Frank Hagney (actor), Hale Hamilton (actor), Dell Henderson (actor), Tom McGuire (actor), Bob Perry (actor), Lee Phelps (actor), King Vidor (director), Frances Marion (writer), William M. Weiss (producer), Marcia Mae Jones (actress),

Plot: Dink Purcell loves his alcoholic father, ex-heavyweight champion Andy "Champ" Purcell, despite his frequent binges, his frequent gambling and their squalid living conditions. And there's nothing Andy wouldn't do for Dink. When Andy wins a race horse gambling, he gives it to Dink and they race it at a Tijuana track. There, Dink meets Linda Carleton, a race horse owner herself, and they have an immediate rapport. But Linda's rich husband sees Andy and realizes Dink is Linda's son, who she gave up when she and Andy divorced. Andy is bribed $200 to allow Dink to visit with Linda, but refuses to allow Dink to spend six months with the Carletons. When Andy loses the horse gambling and winds up in jail after a drunken tirade, he realizes Dink's place is with his mother. Dink tearfully goes but sneaks out and returns at his first opportunity, filling a depressed Andy with a desire to make good. So Andy goes into training after his managers arrange a boxing match with the Mexican champion.

Keywords: alcoholic, arrest, box-office-hit, boxer, boxing, casino, child-driving-car, craps, crying, divorce
Genres: Drama, Family, Sport,
Taglines: Don't fail to get a ringside seat! The knockout picture of the year!

Quotes:

[Dink compares the swanky home to his own]::Dink Purcell: The Champ and I ain't fixed up swell as this, but our joint's more lively.