One of my all-time feel-good films. Said to be the benchmark that all screwball comedies look to emulate, this is an unrivalled Hawks masterpiece. Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn are the perfect movie couple on an adventure involving a leopard named Baby, a dinosaur bone, a stint in jail and a wedding. Said to be terrified of the leopard on-set, Grant's scenes were filmed split-screen whilst the ever eccentric Hepburn could be seen stroking it between scenes.
2.) The Big Sleep (1946)
Film noir based on the 1939 Raymond Chandler novel of the same name and starring Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, this is the film that notoriously confuses everyone with its purposely complex plot but does so with atmospheric cool and brings attention to the chemistry between its leads. The direction, screenplay and score are faultless.
3.) His Girl Friday ( 1940)
Another screwball comedy with Cary Grant,this time opposite Rosalind Russell, this is the film that influenced Quentin Tarantino's famous dialogue style (he claims it is one of his favourite films). Fast, furious and smart, the script is so fresh and witty it is timeless.
4.) Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
A musical featuring two stars at the top of their game, Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell, the duo try their luck at finding themselves wealthy husbands onboard a luxary cruise. Monroe's famous "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence has been copied by everyone from Madonna to Nicole Kidman.
5.) Rio Bravo (1959)
Described as "the greatest hang-out movie of all time" by Tarantino, this is a huge, sprawling western starring John Wayne (who else?!), Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson and Angie Dickinson. A classic of the genre.
Others that didn't make the cut:
The Outlaw (1943), this is more a source of interest rather than a brilliant film what with its notorious production story with Jane Russell's specially enhanced bra made by Hawks' partner-in-crime Howard Hughes (yes, really) and its subsequent banning by the censors.
Monkey Business (1952), starring Cary Grant, Ginger Rogers and small but memorable role from Marilyn Monroe this is another entertaining screwball comedy.
I Was a Male War Bride (1949), Cary Grant in drag - what more could you want?!
I haven't seen Scarface or The Thing From Another World and various others, so that's why they aren't on the list! Will eventually get around to seeing these...
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