A movie I just watched for the first time all the way through (rather than seeing long clips on retrospectives): High Noon. It was one of those flicks that is raved about so often that I just filed it away as pompous and self-important. Instead it was tight, spare, and exceptionally gripping. I've never seen Cooper any better; the supporting cast is grand--particularly Bridges, Chaney, and the always wonderful Thomas Mitchell. Kelly is completely indistinguishable from any other movie starlet at that time, which is actually a selling point.
The DVD also has an excellent "making of" feature, with Lloyd Bridges, Fred Zinneman, and Stanley Kramer still around to tell the tales. Interesting trivia note: while I'm sure most people know that Tex Ritter (who sang the song) is John Ritter's dad, it was news to me that Floyd Crosby, the cinematographer, spawned David Crosby of CSN(Y).
Anyway, for any of you who avoid it because it seems like one of those "vegetable" movies (you watch it because you should, not because you want to), reconsider.
