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What are two individualistic, highly motivated movie stars supposed to do when faced with an unimaginative studio system eager to misuse their talents? Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen collaborate with a great writer, director and producer for an urban romance with an eye on the sexual double standard. It’s a hybrid production: a gritty drama that’s also a calculated career move.

Love with the Proper Stranger

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1963 / B&W / 1:85 widescreen / 100 min. / Street Date September 19, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Edie Adams, Tom Bosley, Herschel Bernardi, Harvey Lembeck, Agusta Ciolli, Nina Varela, Marilyn Chris, Richard Dysart, Arlene Golonka, Tony Mordente, Nobu McCarthy, Richard Mulligan, Vic Tayback, Dyanne Thorne, Val Avery.

Cinematography: Milton Krasner

Film Editor: Aaron Stell

Original Music: Elmer Bernstein

Written by Arnold Schulman

Produced by Alan J. Pakula

Directed by Robert Mulligan

1963’s Love with the Proper Stranger is...

Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film and TV critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday. (The answer to the second, “What is the best film in theaters right now?”, can be found at the end of this post.)

This week’s question: Inspired by Baby Groot’s “Mr. Blue Sky” dance sequence at the beginning of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” what movie has the best opening credits sequence?

April Wolfe (@awolfeful), La Weekly

Hands down, it’s R.W. Fassbinder’s “The Marriage of Maria Braun.” I watch the opening sequence at least three times a year and show it to every filmmaker I can. I love any film that begins with a bang, and this one does quite literally: We open up on an explosion that rips out a hunk of brick wall, exposing a German couple in the middle of a rushed marriage ceremony.

By Lee Pfeiffer

Clifton James, the respected character actor who rose to fame as the bumbling southern Sheriff J.W. Pepper in two James Bond films, has passed away at age 96. James, a decorated veteran of WWII, appeared in many prominent films and TV series. Among his feature films: "Cool Hand Luke", "The Bonfire of the Vanities", "The Untouchables", "Juggernaut", "The Last Detail", "Will Penny" and "Something Wild". The portly James often portrayed lawmen and judges. His most prominent role came in Roger Moore's 1973 debut film as James Bond, "Live and Let Die".  The character of Pepper as a comical racist lawman named Sheriff J.W. Pepper undoubtedly made audiences laugh. But to die-hard Bond fans his presence represented the increasing amount of slapstick that characterized some of Moore's Bond films. The producers brought the character back in the 1974 007 film "The Man with the Golden Gun" in which he coincidentally...

By strange and fortuitous coincidence, my meeting with Jack Garfein fell upon the nexus of several intersecting moments in history. It was Friday, January 27th — International Holocaust Remembrance Day. One week earlier, Donald J. Trump was sworn to office as forty-fifth President of the United States; and in the ensuing weekend, allegations of Trump’s unpunished sexual misconduct, callous attitudes toward women and courting of radical right-wing supporters helped bring about the Women’s March on Washington, one of the largest mass protests in the nation’s history. All around, people are anxiously reading the past with tenuous hopes and fears for the future. History, so often a thing defined after the fact, is currently in violent and furious motion.

Jack Garfein is living history, and he’s not shy about telling it. Born to Ukrainian Jews in 1930, Mr. Garfein personally witnessed as a child the rise of Nazi Germany...

There are so many reasons to recommend Something Wild (1961) to today's audiences that it becomes difficult to choose one. It is as timely and disturbing as the day that it was made and equally as insightful about sexual assault. Yet it is also challenging in ways that invite viewers to think long and hard before discussion. Such complexity` is also reflected in the way the film uses the form to tell its story. Beautiful cinematography by Eugene Schüfftan, a breathtaking opening title sequence from Saul Bass, and an evocative score by the legendary Aaron Copeland signal Something Wild as an important, though largely forgotten indie film. But its haunting treatment of a difficult subject makes it a timeless classic. Kudos Criterion. New York college...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

To most, American independent cinema began in the late 1980’s-early 1990’s. With the rise of names like Spike Lee, Richard Linklater, Kelly Reichardt and Quentin Tarantino, American Independent film has been the breeding ground for some of cinema’s greatest artists, and fostered some of cinema’s greatest artistic achievements. However, for anyone with even a surface level interest in independent film, knowledge of its deeper, decade-spanning history here in the Us is quite clear.

Dating back to the very birth of cinema, independent artists of every race, creed, gender and sexual orientation have been creating films looking at specific experiences. However, many of these films, from the silent era to more modern times (Kelly Reichardt’s River Of Grass only just last year saw a real release outside of festival appearances) have gone relatively unseen.

One of these films even comes from a prestigious pedigree. A product, of sorts,...

Warner Archive Delivers the Best Way to Enjoy a Bad Day at Black Rock

Welcome to this week in home video! Click the title to buy a Blu-ray/DVD from Amazon and help support Fsr in the process!

Pick of the WeekBad Day at Black Rock [Warner Archive]

What is it? A one-armed man arrives via train in a remote western town, and the populace reacts with suspicion and violence.

Why buy it? Spencer Tracy excels as the polite but mysterious stranger whose presence sets everyone on edge, and the more he probes the harder they push. The film explores threads of America’s deep-seated racism and small-town insulation, and it pairs that commentary with a steadily increasing suspense. The themes and actions here are still sadly relevant, even now, and it makes for an important watch that still manages to entertain. Tracy’s potential adversaries include Lee Marvin, Ernest Borgnine, Walter Brennan, and...

Is this once-lost film the apex of obscure independent Hollywood filmmaking? Made way outside the limits of the Production Code, it's even better than I hoped it would be. Leslie Stevens' 'backyard movie' is the work of a directorial wunderkind with an inspired crew. Totally original, with three unforgettable performances. Private Property Blu-ray + DVD Cinelicious 1960 / B&W / 1:66 widescreen / 79 min. / Street Date November 8, 2016 / 34.99 Starring Kate Manx, Corey Allen, Warren Oates Robert Ward, Jerome Cowan, Jules Maitland. Cinematography Ted McCord, Conrad Hall Film Editor Jerry Young Original Music Pete Rugolo Film Technology Alexander Singer Produced by Stanley Colbert Written and Directed by Leslie Stevens

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

I saw Private Property for the first time last night, and came away thinking, 'these are the most believably complex, twisted, adult screen characters I've seen in a long time.' I also felt that I had witnessed some really extraordinary acting,...

The Criterion Collection has announced its slate for January, 2017, with offerings from Howard Hawks (“His Girl Friday”), Rainer Werner Fassbender (“Fox and His Friends”), Jack Garfein (“Something Wild”), and Ousmane Sembène (“Black Girl”). Check out the covers for the films below as well as synopses provided by the Criterion Collection. For more information on the special features and technical specs of each of these films, visit the Criterion Collection website.

Read More: The Criterion Collection Announces December Titles: ‘Heart of a Dog,’ ‘The Exterminating Angel’ and More

“His Girl Friday” (Available January 10)

One of the fastest, funniest, and most quotable films ever made, “His Girl Friday” stars Rosalind Russell as reporter Hildy Johnson, a standout among cinema’s powerful women. Hildy is matched in force only by her conniving but charismatic editor and ex-husband, Walter Burns (played by the peerless Cary Grant), who dangles the chance for her to scoop...

Is this Rod Serling's best teleplay ever? Van Heflin, Everett Sloane and Ed Begley are at the center of a business power squeeze. Is it all about staying competitive, or is it corporate murder? With terrific early performances from Elizabeth Wilson and Beatrice Straight. Patterns Blu-ray The Film Detective 1956 / B&W / 1:66 widescreen / 83 min. / Street Date September 27, 2016 / 14.99 Starring Van Heflin, Everett Sloane, Ed Begley, Beatrice Straight, Elizabeth Wilson, Joanna Roos, Valerie Cossart, Eleni Kiamos, Ronnie Welsh, Shirley Standlee, Andrew Duggan, Jack Livesy, John Seymour, James Kelly, John Shelly, Victor Harrison, Sally Gracie, Sally Chamberlin, Edward Binns, Lauren Bacall, Ethel Britton, Michael Dreyfuss, Elaine Kaye, Adrienne Moore. Cinematography Boris Kaufman Film Editors Dave Kummis, Carl Lerner Art Direction Richard Sylbert Assistant Director Charles Maguire Written by Rod Serling Produced by Michael Myerberg Directed by Fielder Cook

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Let me roll off the titles of some 'fifties 'organization...

Cinema Art from Lawrence, Kansas?   Industrial filmmaker Herk Harvey comes through with a classic horror gem for the ages. A haunted church organist begins to suspect that her hallucinations are more than just nerves. And who is that ghoulish man who keeps appearing in reflections, or popping up out of nowhere? Carnival of Souls Blu-ray The Criterion Collection 63 1962 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 78 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date July 12, 2016 / 39.95 Starring Candace Hilligoss, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger, Art Ellison, Stan Levitt, Herk Harvey. Cinematography Maurice Prather Film Editor Dan Palmquist, Bill de Jarnette Original Music Gene Moore Assistant Director Raza (Reza) Badiyi Written by John Clifford Produced and Directed by Herk Harvey

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Herk Harvey's marvelous Carnival of Souls is an anomaly in screen horror, a regional effort that transcends its production limitations to deliver a tingling encounter with the uncanny. Harvey was a prolific producer of industrial films,...

Actress Doris Roberts, best known for playing the title character's mother in the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, passed away last night at the age of 90. The actress' son, Michael Canata, confirmed to Deadline that she died in her sleep last night from natural causes. Here's what the actress' Everybody Loves Raymond co-star Ray Romano had to say in a statement about her passing.

"Doris Roberts had an energy and a spirit that amazed me. She never stopped. Whether working professionally or with her many charities, or just nurturing and mentoring a green young comic trying to make it as an actor, she did everything with such a grand love for life and people and I will miss her dearly."

Doris Roberts was born November 4, 1925 to Ann (Meltzer) and Larry Green in St. Louis, Missouri, whose legendary career spanned over seven decades. She started acting in the early 1950s, appearing...

Everybody Loves Raymond actress Doris Roberts has died, People confirms.

Her son Michael Cannata confirmed that Roberts died peacefully late Sunday night in L.A. in her sleep of natural causes. She was 90.

Roberts career has spanned six decades during which time she received five Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild award.

Prior to her time on the small screen, Roberts got her start on Broadway in the 1950s, appearing in numerous shows including The Desk Set, Bad Habits and a handful of others.

However, the actress was best known for playing Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond from...

Everybody Loves Raymond actress Doris Roberts has died, People confirms. Her son Michael Cannata confirmed that Roberts died peacefully late Sunday night in L.A. in her sleep of natural causes. She was 90. Roberts career has spanned six decades during which time she received five Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild award. Prior to her time on the small screen, Roberts got her start on Broadway in the 1950s, appearing in numerous shows including The Desk Set, Bad Habits and a handful of others. However, the actress was best known for playing Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond from...

Doris Roberts, who played Ray Barone’s prying mother on the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond,” died Sunday, a representative for the actress told TheWrap on Monday. She was 90. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1925, Roberts began acting in 1952, appearing on the television series “Studio One.” Appearances on “The Naked City,” “Ben Casey” and “The Defenders” followed. She first appeared on the big screen in the 1961 film “Something Wild.” Roberts’ other film credits include “A Lovely Way to Die,” “No Way to Treat a Lady” and “The Honeymoon Killers.” On television, she also appeared on “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman,”...

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Park Circus film distributors in the UK:

Leading international classic and repertory film distributor Park Circus is pleased to announce a stellar line-up of restorations and newly discovered classics as part of the 2012 BFI London Film Festival Treasures from the Archive strand.

Otto Preminger’s Bonjour Tristesse, starring David Niven and Deborah Kerr, receives its UK premiere in a sparkling new digital restoration courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing. The film will screen on the 12th and 13th October.

Following a world premiere at Cannes, Sony Pictures’ restoration of David Lean’s Lawrence Of Arabia will be screened in a stunning 4K digital presentation on 20th October. This will be the first time the 4K version of the film screens in the UK. Released in 1962, the film celebrates its 50th anniversary this year with a return to cinemas worldwide. Lawrence Of Arabia,...

Above: Ulrich Seidl's Paradise: Love.

The lineup for the 39th Telluride Film Festival has been announced, with the guest programming slot this year being given to Geoff Dyer. His program, along with the Pordenone, Medallion, and Spotlight sections, contain one of the best aspects of the Telluride festival: side-by-side programming of new films with old. Tucked away at the bottom is the program we're most excited about: short films by neglected Hollywood director Jean Negulesco.

Show

The Act Of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer, Denmark)

Amour (Michael Haneke, Austria)

At Any Price (Ramin Bahrani, Us)

The Attack (Ziad Doueiri, Lebanon/France)

Barbara (Christian Petzold, Germany)

The Central Park Five (Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon, Us)

Everyday (Michael Winterbottom, UK)

Frances Ha (Noah Baumbach, Us)

The Gatekeepers (Dror Moreh, Israel)

Ginger And Rosa (Sally Potter, UK)

The Hunt (Thomas Vinterberg, Denmark)

Hyde Park On Hudson (Roger Michell, Us)

The Iceman (Ariel Vromen,...

The most secretive of the fall festivals has now been unveiled. Kicking off Friday, Telluride 2012 has revealed their line-up, with highlights including Michael Haneke‘s Amour, Ramin Bahrani‘s At Any Price, Thomas Vinterberg‘s The Hunt, Roger Michell‘s Hyde Park on Hudson, Jacques Audiard‘s Rust & Bone, Noah Baumbach‘s Frances Ha and Sarah Polley‘s Stories We Tell.

Unfortunately absent are a few major titles, including Paul Thomas Anderson‘s The Master, Derek Cianfrance‘s The Place Beyond the Pines, Terrence Malick‘s To the Wonder, Olivier Assayas‘ Something in the Air, but rumors point to Ben Affleck‘s Argo secretly getting a bow there, as they will announce a few more as the festival progresses this weekend. Check out the line-up and press release below, which includes more programs, such as showings of Stalker and Baraka.

The Act Of Killing (d. Joshua Oppenheimer, Denmark, 2012)

Amour (d.

Something Wild

Directed by Jack Garfein

Written by Jack Garfein and Alex Karmel

USA, 1961

For an era as socially untactful as the 1960’s, Jack Garfein’s Something Wild, a story about a young rape victim struggling with the aftermath of her attack, must’ve been nothing short of avant-garde. As daring and inventive as it might’ve been, the film’s fractured tone, contrived melodramatic conflict and anachronistically iniquitous conclusion have made it an exhausting, glib, and outdated look at sexual assault.

In New York, Mary Ann Robinson (Carroll Baker) is raped while on her way home from work. As a result, she lives her life in extreme anguish. Alone, misunderstood, and marginalized, she is eventually pushed to the brink, but when a seemingly good Samaritan saves her, Mary finds herself at the mercy of his dubious intentions.

The first 15 minutes of the film, which contains no dialogue and a nominal score,...