12 thoughts on “My Favorite Otto Preminger Films”

1. Bonjour Tristesse is my favourite Preminger. Mind you I do have a soft spot for the widescreen vicarious travel, postcard films of the 1950s and 60s, especially when they’re so beautiful, well constructed, and subtext laden… also there aren’t that many Jean Seberg films out there!

2. I would rate ‘Where The Sidewalk Ends, and Bunny Lake higher, but I agree with your top choice completely.
   Best wishes, Pete.

3. Anatomy of a Murder. Yes! The first time I saw it it shocked me. I couldn’t believe the explicit subject matter–not so much for the time–consider that Psycho and Peeping Tom would be released the following year, but that the staunchly conservative and wholesome James Stewart starred in it. But then again he had just starred in Vertigo and that was pretty kinky too, though more subtle.
   We’ve talked about Preminger before and you know I’m an admirer and that I really like Tell Me that You Love me Junie Moon which you didn’t include.( Ha! I’m not mad at you John.) I’m going to watch Daisy Kenyon–haven’t seen it. I also really love Laura. Great film.

4. Actually, I did include Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon on the list. You must have missed it because it is on number 18 under the four star films. Anatomy of a Murder did shatter a lot of taboos with its use of language that was not seen before in American film. They were not necessarily profane words of course, but they were said in a casual manner. Yeah, one wonders how Jimmy Stewart decided to take a role for such a controversial film at the time. Speaking of Stewart, I think he was perfectly casted in Vertigo. At first, you think the opposite, but as the film goes on, you realize that the fact that he is older than Kim Novak makes the situation even creepier and perv-ier than it would have been If he were played by someone her age. And yeah, I love Laura as well and Daisy Kenyon is a quintessential Joan Crawford classic. Anyway, thanks for dropping by and keep those comments coming 🙂

5. Hey Paul, great to hear from you again 🙂 Yeah, I love Bonjour Tristesse as well. You know I sometimes wonder If this film was what inspired Jean-Luc Godard to cast Jean Seberg as the female lead in Breathless? Interesting isn’t it? Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂

6. As masterful as Preminger’s other films are, neither of them can top Anatomy of a Murder. I mean everything about it is so balanced. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂

7. Sorry about that John. Speaking of Vertigo, it is widely herald as the best movie of all time. I don’t think so. It wouldn’t even be in my top 50 I don’t think. If I was forced to say what I think is the best movie ever made I would reluctantly say–reluctantly, because it is painful and almost impossible for a lover of film to choose between her children–All Quiet on the Western Front. If you had to say it, what would you say?

8. If it was not for The Birds, Vertigo would be my number one favorite Hitchcock and easily in my top 20 for sure. The Birds would by In my top 10 though. As for my number one favorite film of all-time, I would probably go with Akira Kurosawa’s 1985 epic Ran. The film is Kurosawa’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s King Lear only The King has grown sons as opposed to daughters in his version. That would be my pick. Anyway, keep those comments coming 🙂

9. I haven’t seen Ran. I haven’t watched any Japanese cinema I’m ashamed to say. I know I should. Perhaps I will.

10. Japanese Cinema is just amazing 🙂

11. John you are a movie watching machine!! FACT! That is one collection of work. Respects. I have a wonderful time of discovering his films ahead of me.

    Angel Face and Anatomy of a Murder will more than likely be the next Otto’s I’ll see.

12. Thank you for the kind words Wolfie 🙂 I have watched a lot of films, but there are still plenty of films I have not seen. I can guarantee you though that you will love both Angel Face and Anatomy of a Murder. Anyway, thanks for dropping by 🙂