Ep #80 - Cinema60's Top Ten Films of 1961 Cinema60

Bart and Jenna want to tell you what their favorites films from 1961 are, but the catch is that the films can only be selected from films covered on Cinema60 so far! But first, they’re going to talk about six films from 1961 that they’ve chosen to watch in hopes that they can snazz up their Top Tens with some bonus bangers. (Aka, basically it’s just Kiss Marry Kill by a different name.)

Coincidentally, some specific topics end up popping up frequently in the episode. First and foremost, we get a lot of talk about commedia all'italiana – a ‘60s genre near and dear to our hosts’ hearts. Also broached are such subjects as ”Artists In Paris,” or “Guns Are Bad,” and “Legacies of WWII,” “Statutory Kissing,” “Staying True To Your Ideals,” and “Why Satire Rules.” It’s the trends and treasures of 1961 cinema served up for your delectation.

The following films are discussed:• A Difficult Life (1961) Una vita difficile Directed by Dino Risi Starring Alberto Sordi, Lea Massari, Franco Fabrizi

• The Guns of Navarone (1961) Directed by J. Lee Thompson Starring Gregory Peck, Anthony Quinn, David Niven

• Paris Belongs to Us (1961) Paris nous appartient Directed by Jacques Rivette Starring Betty Schneider, Giani Esposito, Françoise Prévost

• Divorce Italian Style (1961) Divorzio all'italiana Directed by Pietro Germi Starring Marcello Mastroianni, Daniela Rocca, Stefania Sandrelli

• My Son, the Hero (1961) Los hermanos Del Hierro Directed by Ismael Rodríguez Starring Antonio Aguilar, Julio Alemán, Patricia Conde

• Call Me Genius (1961) The Rebel Directed by Robert Day Starring Tony Hancock, George Sanders, Paul Massie