20 Great Years of Movies, Part 19: 1956

1. The Wrong Man (director: Alfred Hitchcock): An oddity for Hitchcock, this film relates a true story and as such, it's not as neat as most of his films - the resolution is not tidy as although the protagonist clears his name, his life is in shambles. It's a different take on the "wrong man" theme which Hitchcock had visited so often. In the 1930s, it seemed like the worst thing that could happen to you would be to be chased by the police. In the 1950s, the worst thing is being judged by your peers.
2. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (director: Don Siegel): This is one of the best Cold War science fiction thrillers; the concept of extraterrestrials replacing people is done in terrifying fashion. A great picture.
3. The Killing (director: Stanley Kubrick): Kubrick's first great movie, the story of a heist; like all heist films, it doesn't go according to plan. This one stands apart thanks to superb craft employed in putting it together.
4. Patterns (director: Fielder Cook): Like Marty, a television film which was remade for cinemas. This one concerns the heartless nature of business - of the ruthless ways in which loyal employees are cast aside in the name of progress.
5. The Ten Commandments (director: Cecil B. DeMille): One of the be-all-to-end-all Biblical epics with Charlton Heston as Moses. It's as overblown as anything DeMille ever made, but this is the one time I actually like DeMille's work; it seems to me that if you're going to tell the story of Moses, you pretty much do have to go ridiculously big.
6. Reach for the Sky (director: Lewis Gilbert): A fine adaptation of the true story of a pilot who lost both of his legs but through determination got himself back into the pilot's seat when World War II broke out. This film doesn't capture everything that I liked about Paul Brickhill's book but it's mighty good.
7. The King and I (director: Walter Lang): A fine family musical with some very catchy tunes; this was a childhood favourite of mine.
8. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (director: Fritz Lang): This is an unusual film which is in some ways reminiscent of Lang's Fury. A reporter wants to prove a point about the legal system by framing himself for a murder. His problems multiply when the man who was supposed to clear his name dies in an accident. (contrast against The Wrong Man)
9. The Harder They Fall (director: Mark Robson): Another good boxing movie, this one featuring Humphrey Bogart's final role. Bogart plays a promoter who exploits his boxer but his conscience gnaws at him.
10. While the City Sleeps (director: Fritz Lang): Wow, I really do like Fritz Lang's 1950s output! Somewhat similar to The Blue Gardenia, this concerns a newspaper office which tries to draw out a serial killer with seemingly little regard for the lives in danger.