Travis Simpkins

The Lady Vanishes (1938): Alfred Hitchcock, Margaret Lockwood and Dame May Whitty

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on a novel by Ethel Lina White, The Lady Vanishes (1938) ranks amongst the best of Hitchcock's early-career British films. The story concerns a pretty young lady aboard a train, who gets increasingly perplexed and frustrated after an old woman she befriends mysteriously vanishes. Mystery and comedy meet nicely in this pitch-perfect film. The cast is great, including Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas and Dame May Whitty. Basil Radford and Naunton Wayne appear as scene-stealing cricket enthusiasts, roles they later reprised in other films.

The Lady Vanishes. 1938. Alfred Hitchcock

The Birds (1963): Alfred Hitchcock and Tippi Hedren

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, loosely based on a story by Daphne du Maurier, The Birds (1963) is a unique and unforgettable film masterpiece. The story centers on a woman who chases a new beau to a small California town, only to find the place inexplicably under attack by hoards of vicious birds for unexplained reasons. Suspenseful and thrilling, The Birds showcases Hitchcock at the top of his Horror skills, and the film proved to be hugely influential. The cast is great, including Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor, Suzanne Pleshette and Jessica Tandy.

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock: Tippi Hedren

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock: Jessica Tandy

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock: Tippi Hedren

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock: Jessica Tandy

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock: Tippi Hedren

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock

The Birds. 1963. Alfred Hitchcock: Tippi Hedren

"The Birds"- movie trailer

The Hunger (1983): David Bowie and Catherine Deneuve

Although poorly received upon it's release, The Hunger (1983) has developed a sort of Cult following over the past 30 years. Stylish and atmospheric, full of cool tones and creative use of the camera, the film announced the directorial debut of Tony Scott (and due to Mr. Scott's August 19, 2012 suicide, the film with surely gain renewed attention). The regal, elegant, sexy and ageless Catherine Deneuve and the similar attribute-holding David Bowie are erotically wonderful together, and Susan Sarandon does a fine job as well. Overall, The Hunger is a solid effort... but it is mainly Deneuve's beauty and Scott's style that make it all worthwhile.

When the beautiful, immortal vampire Miriam Blaylock (Catherine Deneuve) met John (David Bowie) in 18th Century France, she bit him and promised him eternal life. Now, two hundred years later, the vampire couple are living in a stately New York City Townhouse...

The Hunger. 1983: Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie

John is noticing a tragic new problem, however. When Miriam promised eternal life, she was misleading, as eternal youth was not part of the bargain...

The Hunger. 1983: Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie

John begins aging rapidly, decades over the course of a day. Desperate, he seeks help from Dr. Sarah Roberts (Suasan Sarandon), an age expert. Roberts thinks it is a hoax, however, and dismisses John as crazy. He withers and Miriam must place him aside, left to live in an eternal crumbling state...

The Hunger. 1983: Catherine Deneuve and David Bowie

Miriam must move on to her next lover now. When Dr. Roberts realizes her error in ignoring John, she comes calling, concerned, and willing to make amends...