TOP 100 HENRY MANCINI FILMS: #60-51

 

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#60-51 of the Top 100 Henry Mancini Films

This batch has kids' movies with some mature tones and some mature films with immature humor. It also has meaningful art films about the complexity of adulthood and surprising moments of clarity on the beauty of life. It may not be the most sophisticated batch of films in Henry Mancini’s filmography, but it certainly has noteworthy pictures for both good and not-so-good reasons. Enough babble. Here is #61-51 – the last ten of the bottom half of the Top 100 Henry Mancini Films.  

#60: That's Dancing! (1985)

There once was a time when TCM ran these classic movie compilation films around New Year's and my family ate it up. That’s Dancing! (1985) is a cheesy but well-meaning history lesson on Dance in Film (up to the mid-80s). It’s a sit-back, don’t-think, just-enjoy type of movie. Pop plenty of popcorn in advance for this one. You don’t want to miss a number.

#59: Saskatchewan (1954)

A different take on Westerns with a unique representation of politics between Native Americans and ‘the white father’ – as termed in the movie.

#58: Switch (1991)

Switch (1991) is another Edward Blake parade into gender-bending storytelling that’s laced with profanity, tired sexist gags, and – surprisingly enough – a few wonderful insights into the sacredness and beauty of sex. It’s an odd film but one worth seeing at least once.

#57: Soldier in the Rain (1963)

Mancini called Soldier in the Rain (1963) "a small, lovely film." He considered the theme he wrote for this picture one of two of his all-time favorite love themes that he penned himself. His other favorite love theme that he wrote? That’ll be #13 on this list.

#56: House Calls (1978)

House Calls (1978) is funny, cynical, and witty. It never takes itself too seriously or dismisses itself for being able to contribute a meaningful love story. 

#55: Me, Natalie (1969)

On Me, Natalie (1969), Mancini was trying new methods of composition and instrumentation and was on the edge of writing synth-heavy scores like Visions of Eight (1973). In Me, Natalie (1969), his music bridges old-school romance to psychedelic offerings – and it’s okay if it’s square. So is Natalie. 

#54: Santa Claus: The Movie (1985)

I rewatched Santa Claus: The Movie (1985) on the same day I finalized the order of the Mancini films into the Top 100. I can honestly say that my favorite part of this movie, besides Hank’s score, is the cameo of the van from The A-Team (1983-1987) behind Dudley Moore in one New York City street scene. It’s a harmless movie, of course, with cartoon-level villainy and really simple premises. 

#53: Condorman (1981)

Condorman (1981) is a clunky movie that’s silly, on-the-nose, and thoroughly 80s. It’s also so bad, it’s good.  

#52: The White Dawn (1974)

The White Dawn (1974) is a bizarre, exotic film that is slow but mesmerizing in its simplicity. Performances by both Hollywood and indigenous actors are real, stark, and striking. By far, one of the most interesting uses of Henry Mancini's talents in a film - limited, echoing native flute and scores "sung" by onscreen tribe elders. This movie is a rare gem.

#51: Skin Deep (1989)

The VHS cover brags that Skin Deep (1989) is “highlighted by a glow-in-the-dark sequence that will go down in comedy history.” This very scene is the same scene that John Cap uses to illustrate how Mancini worked on some of the “lowest of the low” film productions. Mancini knew it and tried to get his name removed from the titles of Skin Deep (1989). In the end, the studio execs won and were able to keep “Original Music by Henry Mancini” in the opening titles. Yet, Skin Deep (1989) does have its fans. Skin Deep (1989) is one of the most voted-on “favorites” in my Mancini film group studies and has decent Rotten Tomato ratings. Ritter is brilliant as always and he does his best to channel Buster Keaton's physical comedy into his performance. 

We’ve made it to the halfway point of Mancini’s Top 100 films! Buckle up because the list picks up speed fast with some killer titles that will carry us to the #1 Henry Mancini movie. Next week, we’ll have a batch of ten films that have some of my most personal favorite movies…and my least favorite Mancini-scored film. See you there!

• The Top 100 Henry Mancini Films: #100-91
• The Top 100 Henry Mancini Films: #90-81
• The Top 100 Henry Mancini Films: #80-71
• The Top 100 Henry Mancini Films: #70-61
• Henry Mancini 100 - A Celebration! - The Official Henry Mancini Website
• Henry Mancini 100 - A Celebration! - Spotify Playlist

* 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.