Big Screen Dysfunctional Families

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Melvyn Douglas, left, and Paul Newman go at it in "Hud." (Paramount Pictures)

Dysfunctional families are nothing new on a movie screen on on the block many of us live on.

There have been some memorable classics on the subject matter throughout the 100 years or so movie-lovers have been transfixed by what lights up the screen in front of them. 

 

In this presentation enhanced with PowerPoint images and film clips lasting a little over an hour, we'll investigate why the father and son played to perfection by Melvyn Douglas and Paul Newman grew to hate each other's guts in "Hud."

 

And there's more.  We'll laugh about cinematic family dysfunction in the "Meet the Parents" franchise and find some heartfelt emotional moments amid the mayhem in "Little Miss Sunshine."

 

For availability and speaking fees, call 214-364-7364 or email lrratliff@verizon.net.

 

 

Marion or The Duke: It's all John Wayne

John Wayne about to hitch a ride to fame as The Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach" (1939).

So what's your favorite Marion Robert Morrison movie?

We're talking the late, great "everyman" movie star John Wayne, of course.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance starring The Duke, Jimmy Stewart, Vera Miles and Lee Marvin as the title character is my favorite, Pilgrim.   That heartfelt-yet-hard hitting Western of love, unrequited and otherwise, giant pan-fried steaks and Marvin as quite possibly one of the Top 5 big screen baddies of all time, only edges out True Grit by an eyepatch or two.