Readers list film favorites

Asking readers of the June 16 Prospector to name their favorite films yielded comments like the following:

"October Sky" (1999), says John Bohnert: It takes place in a coal-mining town in West Virginia in 1957. Homer Hickam sees Sputnik overhead and decides to build and launch rockets with the help of his friends. I admire the determination of a teen who doesn't want to end up in the coal mines despite pressure from his father. Homer is determined to go to college.

"The Heiress" (1949), says Patti McKenzie: Montgomery Clift was one of the great actors of all time, and besides, he was just so darned good looking. Olivia de Havilland won the Academy Award for best actress playing the dowdy daughter, turned vengeful rejected lover. This movie was a heartbreaker, but who couldn't like this movie?

"Searchers" (1956), says Dennis McKenzie: The setting and the story were captivating, the perfect western, directed by John Ford. I fell in love, at 12, with Natalie Wood. When she is swept off her feet by the Duke (John Wayne), and he says after the five year search, "Let's go home, Debbie," and the Sons of the Pioneers sing the theme song, I tell you, it still makes tears come to my eyes.

"My Dinner with Andre" (1981), says Jane Harrison-Williams: It blew my mind that the camera never left the table where the two friends were sharing a meal and stimulating conversation. The two men were obvious opposites in their approach to living, but it was OK and welcome to see the "balancing out" between the two. Because of this film, I lived my undergraduate years in a spontaneous and free fashion. Talk about a positive influence.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962), says Scott Jones: I have a tie for my favorite two books. I also own DVD copies of the movies. Of the two movies however ("Grapes of Wrath" is the other one), only "To Kill a Mockingbird" can immerse me in the story. I am hypnotized by the narrator. The movie is also a comfortable ride with a great narrator.

"Remember the Titans" (2000), says Larry Smith: Based on a true story about the first integrated high school football team in Virginia, its superb acting and story reminds us and informs younger people about the difficulties of racial struggles at the time. It portrays well the importance of sports as part of the struggle for racial justice. Denzel Washington does a super job as the coach.

Larry also listed "The Long Walk Home" (1990), a story set during the Birmingham Bus boycott; "Mr. Holland's Opus" (1995), about a music teacher's affect on his students; and "Swing Kids" (1993), about some non-conforming German kids who prefer jazz music to the jack-booted militarism of the Nazis.

Walt J. Fraser named four favorites, although he didn't elaborate: "Four Feathers" (1939 version), "Gallipoli" (1981), "Diabolique" (1955), and "Harold and Maude" (1971).

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Chuck Jaffee lives in Nevada City. Find links to his other articles for The Union at www.startlets.com.