10 Best Stanley Donen Movies, Ranked

Stanley Donen was probably the most celebrated administrators of Hollywood’s Golden Age, notably well-known for his musicals. He began out as a dancer and choreographer earlier than transitioning to directing within the late Nineteen Forties. Early hits included his collaborations with Gene Kelly, like On the City, Singin’ within the Rain, and It is At all times Honest Climate. After important field workplace success as a studio filmmaker, Donen went impartial within the late ’50s, producing additional gems like Charade, Arabesque, and Bedazzled.

His model is visually hanging, with spectacular cinematography and complicated camerawork. At their greatest, Donen’s films marry technical dexterity with resonant themes and wealthy characterization. Because of this, lots of them are nonetheless held in excessive regard as we speak. Particularly, most of his movies are larger-than-life in one of the simplest ways. As Donen himself explains of his method to filmmaking: “What we did was not geared in direction of realism however in direction of the unreal.” These are Donen’s most interesting films.

10 ‘Indiscreet’

Launched: 1958

“How dare he make like to me and never be a married man!” Anna Kalman (Ingrid Bergman) is a profitable actress dwelling in London who meets the charismatic diplomat Philip Adams (Cary Grant). Their preliminary encounter sparks a whirlwind romance, however issues come up when Philip reveals that he’s already married. Regardless of their mutual attraction, Anna is hesitant to have interaction in an affair. Nevertheless, they nonetheless discover themselves entangled in a sequence of clandestine conferences and romantic escapades.

Indiscreet is an extremely easy romantic comedy, with an easy plot and few surprises. Thankfully, the star energy of the leads greater than compensates for the slight materials. It might not rise to the heights of their Alfred Hitchcock collaboration Infamous nevertheless it’s nonetheless an pleasurable time. Particularly, Grant and Bergman trade a litany of enjoyable and humorous dialogue. The film can be price testing for its pioneering use of split-screen, which Donen deploys right here for comedic impact.

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9 ‘Bedazzled’

Launched: 1967

“All the things I’ve ever instructed you has been a lie. Together with that.” Earlier than the 2000 remake starring Brendan Frasier, there was this retelling of the Faust legend with Dudley Moore within the lead position of Stanley Moon. He is a hapless man who sells his soul to the satan (Peter Cook dinner) in trade for seven needs to win the guts of his beloved Margaret (Eleanor Bron). Cook dinner steals the present because the suave and mischievous Devil, providing Stanley alternatives to meet his wishes, however at all times with a intelligent twist.

Stanley asks for various boons, together with being extra articulate, being wealthy, and for Margaret to like him. Nevertheless, these by no means labored out fairly as he hoped. As Stanley’s needs take him on more and more absurd and hilarious adventures, he learns invaluable classes about love, self-acceptance, and the true nature of happiness. It is a charming story jam-packed with barbed, witty dialogue that feels surprisingly contemporary all these many years later.

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8 ‘Rattling Yankees’

Launched: 1958

“No matter Lola needs, Lola will get; and little man, little Lola needs you!” In one other riff on the story of Faust, this sports activities musical tells the story of Joe Boyd (Tab Hunter), a die-hard fan of the Washington Senators baseball staff, who sells his soul to the satan, Applegate (Ray Walston), in trade for the possibility to change into the younger, proficient baseball participant and assist the Senators defeat the dominating New York Yankees.

As “Joe Hardy”, he leads the Senators to victory, however issues come up when he realizes the true price of his take care of the satan, particularly relating to his beloved spouse, Meg (Shannon Bolin). Rattling Yankees was first a Broadway musical with choreography by Bob Fosse, and Donen ably introduced it to the display screen (although a number of the hip actions in just a few dances needed to be axed, because the studios thought of them too risqué for a film.)

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7 ‘It is At all times Honest Climate’

Launched: 1955

“You do not have to hold round with me all night. I want I did not have to hold round with myself.” It is At all times Honest Climate is a satirical musical that stands out with its extra cynical tone. It follows three World Struggle II buddies—Ted Riley (Gene Kelly), Doug Hallerton (Dan Dailley), and Angie Valentine (Michael Kidd)— who reunite ten years later to meet a promise they made on their final day collectively. Nevertheless, they quickly uncover that they’ve drifted aside and will not be the identical associates they as soon as had been. Ted is now a jaded advert govt, Doug a womanizing boxing promoter, and Valentine runs a hamburger stand.

As they navigate their reunion in a altering world, they confront their previous, current, and future whereas rediscovering the bonds of friendship. That is conveyed via vivid track and dance numbers, together with iconic tunes like “As soon as Upon a Time” and “I Like Myself”. The scene the place the troopers dance with trashcans on their toes can be iconic. Though not commercially profitable, It is At all times Honest Climate influenced many musicals that adopted.

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6 ‘Humorous Face’

Launched: 1957

“Let’s give ’em the previous pizzazz!” Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn lead this musical rom-com as style photographer Dick Avery and the shy bookstore clerk turned reluctant style mannequin Jo Stockton. Jo is swept into the glamorous world of excessive style and embarks on a whirlwind journey from Greenwich Village to Paris. Alongside the way in which, a spark develops between her and Dick, however obstacles threaten to maintain them aside.

Astaire and Hepburn had been two of the brightest stars of their period, and it is a deal with to see them on-screen collectively, even when not each side of the film has aged all that nicely. The movie might have flopped on the field workplace, however there is no denying the caliber of the musical numbers. Particularly, the closing track “‘S Fantastic” has been coated endlessly. There’s additionally a unusual, memorable scene the place Jo does a type of interpretative dance in a Parisian nightclub. Hepburn in some way turns this right into a spellbinding second.

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5 ‘On the City’

Launched: 1949

“I need you to know that my curiosity in you is solely scientific.” Kelly and Donen’s directorial debut is a daring musical centering on three sailors—Chip (Frank Sinatra), Gabey (Kelly), and Ozzie (Jules Munshin)—on an action-packed 24-hour shore depart as they discover the bustling streets of Manhattan looking for enjoyable and romance. Alongside the way in which, they encounter a spirited cab driver named Hildy (Betty Garrett), a fascinating anthropologist named Claire (Ann Miller), and the vivacious nightclub singer Ivy (Vera-Ellen).

Their adventures unfold to a full of life rating by Leonard Bernstein, amongst others. The movie crams a ton of enjoyable and leisure into its 98-minute runtime, together with a neverending stream of energetic dances. Because of this, On the City was a giant hit on launch and is now thought to be a musical basic. It is also intriguing for the way in which it casts the famously suave Sinatra towards sort as an anxious, nerdy character. Plus, it has been praised for its complicated, well-written feminine characters.

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4 ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’

Launched: 1954

“Pa used to say love is type of just like the measles. You solely get it as soon as. The older you’re, the harder it goes.” Set in 1850s Oregon, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers focuses on Adam Pontipee (Howard Keel), a rugged backwoodsman, who marries Milly (Jane Powell) after a breakneck courtship. Upon bringing Milly house to his distant cabin, Adam reveals that he has six unruly brothers in want of wives. Decided to tame the rowdy bunch, Milly units out to civilize the brothers and discover them appropriate brides.

Nevertheless, when a harsh winter snows them in, the brothers resort to an unconventional methodology to search out love: they kidnap six ladies and set off an avalanche. An outraged Milly forces the boys to sleep within the barn whereas the ladies keep in the home. Over time, although, some romance begins to blossom regardless of the weird state of affairs. The movie is actually goofy, however that is additionally its attraction. It’s now often ranked among the many best film musicals of all time, with explicit reward for its infectious songs.

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3 ‘Two for the Highway’

Launched: 1967

“No less than you are not a bad-tempered, disorganized, immodest failure anymore. You are a bad-tempered, disorganized, immodest success.” Maybe Donen’s most creative and experimental challenge, Two for the Highway is a portrait of a wedding on the rocks. It follows Mark (Albert Finney) and Joanna Wallace (Audrey Hepburn) as they take a street journey from England to the French Riviera. Their journey is interspersed with flashbacks of earlier journeys they’ve taken on the identical route, which progressively reveal the complexities of their relationship.

The movie acquired lukewarm evaluations on launch, however its essential standing has improved dramatically since, with many now rating it as Donen’s best movie and Hepburn’s most achieved efficiency. It is confidently constructed, with each component in its proper place; the work of a grasp craftsman with nothing left to show. Greater than that, Two for the Highway is emotionally intense and psychologically astute. Because of this, it has maybe aged higher than any of Donen’s different movies.

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2 ‘Charade’

Launched: 1963

“She batted them fairly little eyes at you, and also you fell for it like an egg from a tall rooster!” Charade is Donen’s fusion of a thriller and a rom-com, starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant as Regina Lambert and Peter Joshua. After her husband’s mysterious loss of life, Regina units out on a quest to uncover the reality and the whereabouts of a fortune stolen throughout World Struggle II. Peter helps her in her mission, however he’s hiding secrets and techniques of his personal.

As they make their approach via a sequence of twists and turns, dodging sinister characters and uncovering hidden identities, Regina and Peter discover themselves falling in love amidst the chaos. Charade makes for a powerful hybrid of romance and suspense, with its witty dialogue, white-knuckle stress, and beautiful cinematography of Parisian landmarks. The truth is, the thriller components are dealt with so nicely that the movie is often mistaken for a film by Alfred Hitchcock. Individuals considering your film was made by the Grasp of Suspense is actually excessive reward.

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1 ‘Singin’ within the Rain’

Launched: 1952

“Come rain, come shine, come snow, come sleet, the present MUST go on!” On the subject of Donen’s signature film, it is arduous to make a case for something aside from Singin’ within the Rain, probably the most well-known musicals ever made. Kelly performs Don Lockwood, a charismatic silent movie star whose profession faces upheaval with the appearance of speaking photos. Alongside his buddy Cosmo Brown (Donald O’Connor), and aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), Don should make the transition to sound whereas grappling with love, fame, and creative integrity.

Singin’ within the Rain is old style leisure completed proper, with a bevy of likable characters, puns and pop jokes, and killer choreography. The music can be legendary at this level, notably the title track. Furthermore, it is the type of film that concurrently looks like a quintessential product of its period whereas additionally transcending it. Viewers will proceed to get pleasure from its heat and pleasure for many years to come back.

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