TOP 100 HENRY MANCINI FILMS: #40-31

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#40-31 of the Top 100 Henry Mancini Films

As we enter the Top 40 of the Top 100 Henry Mancini Films, the titles seem to have polarized. These films are either extremely popular or notorious. Some are staples in their genre. One title here features a former President of the United States. Another is referenced in the beloved Back to the Future series. All in all, the breadth of Mancini’s touch across all types of motion pictures is astounding.

#40: W.C. Fields and Me (1976)


W.C. Fields and Me (1976) is a well-written biography that moves at its own pace. 

#39: Mommie Dearest (1981)


Mommie Dearest (1981) is a nail-biting family drama that makes you rethink your love of classic movies...or, at least, classic movie stars. The movie itself has an unusual life among film award programs. Both the National Society of Film Critics (USA) and the New York Film Critics Circle nominated Faye Dunaway for “Best Actress” for her scathing portrayal of Joan Crawford. The Young Artists Awards nominated the film for “Best Motion Picture – Family Enjoyment.” Yet, the film won multiple Razzie Awards – awards designed to point out the worst in the film industry. Among the collected Razzie Awards are such dubious honors as “Worst Actress (Faye Dunaway)” and “Worst Picture of the Decade.” The Stinkers Bad Movie Awards also gave Mommie Dearest (1981) the following awards: “Worst Picture (of 1981)”, Worst Actress (Fay Dunaway), and 3 more not-so-flattering trophies. Why the divide between esteemed critics and lighthearted denigrators? To quote my youngest son, “I can’t know.” But I will say, that Mommie Dearest (1981) is worth the watch. It may be a trainwreck of a story but, to quote another son of mine, “It’s one of the movies of all time.” You really have to see it to believe it…or maybe understand all the attention.

#38: Man's Favorite Sport? (1964)


Man’s Favorite Sport? (1964) is a silly movie. The best part was hearing Mancini’s “Blue Pianola” -  a borrowed music track from the Touch of Evil (1958) soundtrack. Other favorite parts include very odd cutaways of trains colliding and an equally bizarre silent film ending.

#37: Without a Clue (1988)


Without a Clue (1988) is a mild comedy with understated performances. Overall, the film is charming, stylish, and pleasant.

#36: It Came From Outer Space (1953)


It’s just pretty darn cool that this classic science fiction film is also one that Mancini worked on during his “graduate days” at Universal (for more on that era, check out the Henry Mancini biography I posted last year). For what it's worth, influential sci-fi/horror film master John Carpenter included It Came from Outer Space (1953) in his Top 10 "idiosyncratic list of most influential" Sci-Fi Films. It’s a must-see for both B-movie and serious sci-fi fans.

#35: S.O.B. (1981)


S.O.B. (1981) very well may be my least favorite Henry Mancini film. I just don’t get this movie. It amazes me that S.O.B. (1981) was able to secure a budget let alone get made. That said, if you are confused as to why this film scored so high, please check out The System we used to rank the Henry Mancini films. I did my best to combine critics and fans' opinions on the films for their mathematical placement on the list.

#34: "10" (1979)


A lot has been written about “10” (1979) and, therefore, I’ll keep this as short as possible. “10” (1979) was popular in its day and became a quick reference to show that director Blake Edwards is still an “it” director. Dudley Moore, Bo Derek, and Julie Andrews are all top-notch in it. The beach running scene is iconic and often imitated and lampooned. While Mancini’s overall “10” score is particularly good, Ravel’s "Bolero" is the true winner here as it gains new dimension, and subsequent popularity, due to Mancini's incorporation of it into the film and soundtrack.

#33: Tarantula (1955)


Gee whiz schmaltz makes this B-movie worth the trip. While the double exposure of the monstrously large spider in the desert isn’t perfect, it’s pretty darn good for 1955. The special effects makeup on human experiments is just schlocky enough to be harmless and entertaining. Tarantula (1955) is worth seeing for many reasons but perhaps the coolest is a cameo of an uncredited actor as a fighter pilot. That actor is none other than Clint Eastwood and  Tarantula (1955) is one of the posters Marty McFly (Micheal J. Fox) references at the Pohatchee Drive-in Theater in Back to the Future III (1990) when he mentions Clint Eastwood to Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and then says, “That’s right. You haven’t heard of him yet.” For another Mancini film mentioned in BTTF3, check out Mancini films #100-91.

#32: Arabesque (1966)


I love how this TV spot wraps up with simply, “Music by Mancini.” Says it all, doesn’t it?

#31: The Killers (1964)


Lee Marvin. Ernest Hemingway. Henry Mancini.  Ronald Reagan!? Just a handful of names that make this flick worth watching. It even has TV Three's Company Mr. Roper (Norman Fell) in it! A good caper flick with a lovely and deliciously untrustworthy "lady" (Angie Dickinson), The Killers (1964) delivers a crime drama wrapped in The Love Bug (1968) mise en scène. Watch it - but be prepared to see the worst rear screen projection in the history of Hollywood.

 
That’s a wrap on #40-31. Next week, we’ll dive into some more surefire hits and a few box office flubs in the Henry Mancini filmography. However, we’ll begin to see some really artful work creep into the list – along with some old favorites, legendary titles, and that one significant gig that every hardcore film composer desires. 



* Thanks to David P. Ramos for that impressive sketch of Hank hard at work, Scott Derby for the iconic Digging Star Wars logo, and Josh Taback for the much-needed art direction of the overall Top 100 “square art” layout. 

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