William Stang, in Rensselaer, Ind., wants the five movies he would have with him on a desert island — the five movies that would be his only companions for the rest of his life — to hold a mirror up to the world he left behind. Here are his five:
“How the West Was Won.” “It’s a brawling epic of the settling of America,” he says. “It shows Americans at their greediest — and grandest. Jimmy Stewart teaches the lesson that courageous action is the mark of an honorable man.”
“The Maltese Falcon.” “Greed, lust, adventure and honor struggle visibly inside the character played by Humprey Bogart. With him, I am in the dark, wondering which will triumph.”
“A Night at the Opera.” “On a desert island, I would need to laugh at the predicament. The Marx Brothers were masters at helping us laugh at ourselves. And Harpo really plays the harp while Chico forces the piano into submission.”
“Blade Runner.” “This movie uses the human condition rather than computer wizardry to give us the lesson. Our technological prowess exceeds our wisdom. What makes us noble comes from within our spirit rather than from external riches and gizmos. I would find this consoling.”
“Saving Private Ryan.” “As a whole, soldiers hate war and want to live in peace. But they know that at some times, someone must fight for our peace and freedom. This movie does not glorify war. It honors the soldiers of World War II while some still live to receive our gratitude.”
Diane Orman, in Austin, Texas, is a woman of few words in explaining what five movies she would want on the island:
“Goin’ South.” “To this Jack Nicholson fan, this is as good as it gets.”
“The Godfather.” “Thinking of watching it again is an idea I just can’t refuse.”
“Fargo.” “All that snow and cold will keep me cool on the island.”
“It’s a Wonderful Life.” “Just the best message ever in a movie.”
“An Affair to Remember.” “Aw, come on. I’m a middle-aged lady. Enough said.”
Carolyn Bailey, in Hartfield, Va., also is a woman who says what she means succinctly. Her five movies:
“Sabrina.” “The original, with Audrey Hepburn, because it is magical and uplifting.”
“The Hunt for Red October.” “Sean Connery! And I love the Russian music.”
“White Christmas.” “It is such a happy film. And I could probably use a little snow.”
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“Dr. No.” “Once again, Sean Connery — and it shows what kind of progress can be made on a desert island.”
“The Bird Cage.” “I could probably use a laugh on that island.”
Jack Peterson, in Buffalo Grove, wants the five movies on the island to touch a variety of his emotions:
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” “About an individual who refuses to accept things as they are supposed to be according to the established authorities. He sees how others have been beaten into submission. He attempts to teach them to believe in themselves. A moving story about the indomitable human spirit.”
“Something Wicked This Way Comes.” “A hot summer day in a small town. A rainstorm blows in, and along with the storm comes Mr. Dark’s circus. Two young boys and the rest of the people in the town will never be the same.”
“The Sunshine Boys.” “When the characters played by George Burns and Walter Matthau last saw each other, they were a vaudeville comedy act. Constant bickering led to the end of the friendship. One approaches the other with the proposition they revive the old act. Hilarious and very touching.”
“Young Frankenstein.” “I’m not a big Mel Brooks fan. But this film made me laugh until it hurt.”
“Nobody’s Fool.” “Paul Newman plays the part of just another working guy trying to keep his life together. His marriage has failed and his relationship with his son isn’t what it should be. He’s not a young man anymore. A movie about life — sometimes very funny, sometimes very sad, but always very human.”
On Sunday I’m going to take a step away from listing your movies, and instead tell you some of the intriguing things I’ve learned from reading what you sent me — including the surprising answer to what the most-recommended movie is. It’s one I have never seen.
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– Bob Greene comments on the news of the day Thursdays on the “WGN News at Nine.”