Five Fantastic Classic Movies You've Probably Never Seen March 2004 by Lauren E. Darcey Every once in a while, you see a movie and go wow, that was a great film. The Thin Man       [ IMDB | ] Before Raymond Chandler there was Dashiell Hammett and before James Bond there was Nick Charles. The Thin Man is Hammett's most overlooked work of a retired NY detective and his rich and saucy young wife Nora from California. Mysteries seem to follow where ever the newlyweds go, constantly forcing Nick out of retirement and the couple's witty repartee - always delivered while holding at least one martini - has never been equaled on the big screen. This is the movie that spawned five sequels involving such up and coming stars as Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. The Philadelphia Story       [ IMDB | ] What happens when a very private Philadelphia socialite (played by Katherine Hepburn), preparing for her second marriage to stuffy "Man of the People" George, is visited by her playboy ex-husband (Cary Grant) who has been employed by tabloid magazine "Spy"? Mix in an additional pinching uncle Willie, unhappy tabloid writer (Jimmy Stewart), fountains of champagne and a swimming pool, and you've got The Philadelphia Story. The Third Man       [ IMDB | ] Living in post-war Vienna, Harry Lime (Orson Welles) offers his former school friend Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), an out of work author from the States, a job. However, on arrival, Martins learns of his friends mysterious death in a car accident. When Harry Lime's friends' stories don't match up, Martins decides to find out what really happened. One of the highest rated films of all time, the cinematography and music alone makes this movie worth adding to your rental queue. Mr. Smith Goes To Washington       [ IMDB | ] Director Frank Capra emerged as a powerful voice of optimism in film during the darkest days of the Depression. Best known for films such as It's a Wonderful Life, Capra revolutionized the film industry with his social films highlighting patriotism and kindness - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is one of these films. Jimmy Stewart plays Jefferson Smith, the idealistic head of America's Boy Rangers (read Scouts) who gets appointed as an interim senator for his state when the previous one dies. Suddenly surrounded by the corruption of government process and the greed of big business, Mr. Smith navigates Washington, trying to avoid scandal and get a bill through Congress. If you didn't know what words like muckraker and filibuster mean, you'll soon know. Arsenic and Old Lace       [ IMDB | ] Arsenic and Old Lace, also directed by Frank Capra, is a hilarious comedy that was originally a one scene stage play. Cary Grant plays young Mortimer Bruster, a writer known for opposing the idea of marriage who falls in love and marries his sweetie. Now all that's left before heading out on honeymoon is to stop by and tell his two aging maiden aunts about his good fortune. Mortimer gets more than he bargained for when he finds out that his sweet little aunts have been killing people and burying them in the basement. For more information, check out the Internet Movie Database.

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