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Chelse McKee, staff

It is the illustrious month of my birth, so instead of doing the typically clever themes I usually group my films in, I chose to work off pure sex appeal. So welcome to “the men of Chelse!”

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

Director: Arhur Penn

Faye Dunaway (Bonnie) is of course beautiful and very talented, but Warren Beatty (Clyde) is the sexy focus of the film to which I am drawn. More than that, though, his skilled acting is admirable and definitely enjoyable.

The film, based around the famed bank robbers from the ’30s (Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow), created a giant stir with the public even before its release date, due to the sympathetic treatment of the murderous protagonists. Penn creates a strong relationship between the audience and Bonnie and Clyde, and, as any critic will tell you, the audience is rooting for the anti-heroes to win in the end.

As well, this is the premiere of funny-man Gene Wilder, who would go on to star in Blazing Saddles and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Director: Elia Kazan

The story revolves around Blanche DuBois, who goes to visit her sister, Stella and her abusive husband, Stanley Kowalski in New Orleans before she goes insane. Frankly, this is before Brando lost his looks and stuffed his cheeks for The Godfather, and he is amazing to watch.

Interesting tidbit: the film was shot in only 36 days and it is only one of two films to win three Academy awards for acting (Karl Malden, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter).

John Garfield (The Postman Always Rings Twice) originally turned down the role of Stanley (ultimately played by Marlon Brando) because he felt that he would be outshined by female costar Leigh (Blanche).

Leigh outshines Brando, but he carries his own.

Despite playing an abusive husband, Brando’s famous “Stella!” sequence is remarkably subdued. Brando delivers the role compassionately without attempting to overact the role, even though he apparently detested Stanley’s character.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Director: George Roy Hill

I’m not generally a fan of westerns, but this film seems to mask the genre behind quick wit and humorous one-liners.

The two anti-heroes, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) and the Sundance Kid (Robert Redford) are the men who make me most detest the current Hollywood men, just because they don’t make men like that anymore.

It’s an exciting western, yet hardly a western at all. There are train robberies and horse chases in the desert, but still, it doesn’t evoke the feel of a western. Weird. However, I would definitely classify it as a comedy.

Another awesome feature, Newman pulls off nifty bicycle tricks, with no stunt people whatsoever.