Some of the Best

Lewis Stone introduces and narrates highlights from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's movies in its first 20 years.

MGM was formed by Marcus Loew, who purchased and amalgamated the Metro Company, the Goldwyn Company, and then hired Louis B. Mayer and his assistant, Irving Thalberg, who had been producing their own movies for Mayer. This raises a mystery: why celebrate a 20th anniversary five years late? I'll suggest that this movie was likely made in 1944 for MGM's annual convention, even if they didn't register it for another five years.

The choice of movies is pretty god, usually one a year. If you wonder why THE WIZARD OF OZ isn't there, it was a disappointment at the box office. Anyway, you get to hear Jimmy Stewart singing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow", so why complain?

This documentary from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) celebrates 20 years with clips from some of the studio's most successful films. The host is Lewis Stone, who states he has been with the studio for "over 20 years." Like most movie people, Mr. Stone is counting the years before "Metro" merged with Samuel Goldwyn (itself a merger of Goldfish-Selwyn-Selwyn) and Louis B. Mayer. Stone spent most of his career at Metro/MGM. We begin with scenes from two of MGM's early silent blockbusters, John Gilbert in "The Big Parade" (1925) and Ramon Novarro in "Ben Hur" (1925). With worldwide favorites Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford, Jean Harlow, Katharine Hepburn, Lon Chaney, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and many others, MGM could boast, "More stars than there are in the heavens." The next subject is Greta Garbo, who Stone calls "The First Lady of the Screen." Stone mentions she was introduced in "Flesh and the Devil" (1926), but Ms. Garbo was a star from her first US motion pictures...

Lionel Barrymore revives high praise from Stone, who calls his colleague's performance in "A Free Soul" (1931) one of the finest ever committed to film. In five years, Mr. Barrymore would host MGM's new version of "Same of the Best" (1949); it trimmed many of the old clips to make room for the studio's new and upcoming productions. As is generally acknowledged, the famous "telephone scene" from "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936) which made Luise Rainer a big favorite with "Oscar" voters is shown. Oddly, some title cards celebrate their status as "Academy Award" winners, while others forget – for example. "The Broadway Melody" (1929) was a "Best Picture" winner. Well-represented, Spencer Tracy is mentioned as getting better with every appearance. The later final clips are dominated by MGM's "vibrant new" star Greer Garson. It's all nicely paced and narrated. The title acknowledges than many films were left out; one reason is that this documentary was filmed in back-and-white. The next anniversary edition included color.

***** Some of the Best (1944) Louis B. Mayer ~ Lewis Stone, Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy

Boy do we make better clip shows today! This is a shame because MGM had every right to pat itself on the back celebrating its 20th anniversary.Unfortunately,the clips are presented in a stodgy,old fashioned(in the worst sense) manner hosted by dull Lewis STone that makes you wonder what all the fuss was about. THe main interest is is for historical comparisons.THis represents the accepted opinions of the day.Forgotten box office smashes like Tell It To The Marines and Min and BIll are lauded along with genuine classics like Grand Hotel and Mutiny on the Bounty. One interesting bit-Stone makes a fuss over which films won Oscars.Yet he neglects mentioning The Great Ziegfelds Best Picture win.Maybe even then,MGM couldn't believe the overblown musical had actually won!

Oooh, this was great. Nice clean crisp digital video clips from some of M-G-M's best silent films and early talkie classics. Shown on Turner Classic Movies from time to time, it is well worth watching. Clips from the silent version of Ben-Hur are shown, and also clips from Greta Garbo and John Gilbert and John and Renee Adoree in The Big Parade, and Lon Chaney and William Haines and Eleanor Boardman in "Tell It To The Marines". Makes me wish that Turner would get on the ball and release these silent classics on DVD format...finally!

Talkie clips shown are from Min and Bill, Broadway Melody, The Good Earth, and Grand Hotel, among many others. See if you find this gem in between showings of silent classics on Silent Sunday nights on TCM.

This compilation should be enjoyed within the context of the time it was made. This was made in a time with viewing previously released films was impossible unless the studio wanted to re-release it. There was no videotapes, DVD's, or television to show them. Once a movie was exhibited, that was about that...probably never to be seen again. That is why this film is historically interesting. It must have been thrilling to audiences then to relive those great moments that they only remembered.

It is also interesting to note what films that they considered were worthy of remembering, which is quite different from todays thoughts on what films are worth remembering. For example, no one talks about "Min and Bill" anymore and is barely mentioned when discussing "Film Classics". However I do remember my parents talking lovingly about that movie and "Some of the Best" considered it also worthy enough to showcase it. And after seeing that clip from "Min and Bill" I plan on watching it soon...fortunately I can rent it whenever I want!