You Only Live Once

Sometimes there's a movie that you didn't even know you expected to like until you watch it entirely. That's what brought me to a very obscure but underappreciated old movie classic. You Only Live Once (1937).

 

Sometimes streaming services pay a good deal outta me. This was free to watch on Plex. There's a ton of old movies on there, and this was one of the few films I saved onto my watchlist. It was a short one, only clocking in at 1 hour and 26 minutes, but was still great.

I like alot of Henry Fonda's movies. 12 Angry Men was easily likeable, The Grapes Of Wrath amazed me and had everything I ever wanted that I could relate to as a young adult. There's a reason why I think Fonda is one of my favorite actors. His acting performances are just great. With other actors I respect, they have this sheer honesty and sometimes deliver powerful lines that are still relevant to this day. 

I really appreciate these characters below. "Distinctive" is one of the most overlooked elements in film, and these look like guys I could draw, as an artist this scene in particular was a nice start. 

For a film directed by Fritz Lang, a director I need to experience more, there's so much fantastic cinematography. It reminds me of Orson Welles movies and Carol Reed's The Third Man.

I don't mind movies not having elements that make these movies more unique. I personally want more than just going for appeal. Sometimes my favorite bits from these great movies are the dialogue. And since I'm seemingly enjoying mysterious, tense sometimes witty films I also enjoy these complex but enjoyable narratives. 

This movie had so much symbolism to it especially with the first act to second acts. Almost everyone is chasing down Eddie Taylor for his crimes yet for some reason I find it more entertaining than most iconic noir movies I seen.

I love Taylor's messy hair in this scene. It adds a layer of attractiveness and expression. 

The speech delivery in this scene is just great, and so as the details. Usually I suck at movie character names, but I was able to understood both Eddie and Joan well.

Joan states as she looks directly at Eddie's hat with his initials.

Usually I find female leads to be likeable but nothing noteworthy, but I really like Joan's facial expressions in this movie. And both of these characters have a deep but meaningful connection with each other. 

I like these close-up scenes. I just realized how B&W movies can look cinematic at times. Fritz Lang in particular also directed Metropolis and I have mentioned it a few weeks ago with some screencaps, just amazing.

I appreciate when actors can be forceful with their roles. Like that fist.

We get some creative and excellent shots in the movie. This shot in particular left me impressed. The scene of Eddie in bars, love the silhouettes, as well as that spectacular performance.

This is my favorite scene in the entire movie. This is where Ed is accepted as a "free man". But refuses as he points a gun at Doctor Hill and counts till 20. 

As for the rest of the movie, almost all these elements feels like what I want to aspire to create. I enjoy these movies for it's righteousness, realism and strength while also having some bit of sympathy for these characters.

Old Movies have really shaped me lately whatever genre, I appreciate what I have been watching lately. Some of the movies honestly understood not why but how these people handle situations that honestly feel like a struggle, and I know I have had experiences like that before, and since I'm pretty practical myself I appreciate these film's stories and messages taking a more pragmatic approach.

I'm surprised this movie hasn't gained more attention. 

Here's this free clip from what I said earlier was my favorite scenes from this movie.

Alfred Hitchcock Storyboards

 

Previously I looked into a comic and in that post I mentioned something about storyboards and how they can be useful for making a cohesive and inventive product. Animation mostly uses storyboards unless if live action movies use them for it's setting. Also most of the old movies whether it's their script or behind-the-scenes footage is rare to find. 

You know who you didn't expect had a storyboard art crew? Alfred Hitchcock, who made some of the most iconic, well thought-out creative movies of all time. 

The Birds (1963) I first experienced watching on DVD, there was sorta of a scrapped ending that wasn't in the final product. The film became a Hitchcock staple, it had a ton of storyboard art. It's incredible. I researched into comparisons of each scene.

I like the addition of arrows with the scenes of Melanie so that it's easy to understand her reaction by distinctive shots. 

 One of the latest Hitchcock movies I seen was Vertigo (1958). Was easy for me to appreciate this film, since I respect Stewart's work. It looked so gorgeous with incredible effects. The scene above is the famous church scene with the staircase. 

Scottie is so cute in these drawings. The sketches of the camera angles are also very pleasent and detailed.

I researched into Pyscho and while I haven't watched it yet, it definitely has more explicit moments that isn't suitable for all audiences. Anyways just great drawings by Saul Bass. He's also well known for creating iconic movie posters like West Side Story and The Shining.

Here's one I'm definitely familiar with. Strangers On A Train. Such a fantastic movie, this gives me back recent memories of the amusement park scene. 

These were more rare to find as I looked into a video. I just always loved when Hitchcock could almost do the impossible like when Cary Grant would climb onto Mount Rushmore. Seriously one of the coolest scenes in movie history, and similarly back in 1942, Saboteur had an intense climax of the characters atop of The Statue of Liberty. Okay, I need to look more into this film immediately.

I absolutely appreciate alot of these since I like creating stuff myself and directors like Hitchcock give me an inspiration to make something exicting and passionate. Sure I'm not only focusing on his work. Some of my favorite movies are from other great movie directors.

I like these close-up shots. Melanie's bleeding. I like blood in B&W, it's sorta dramatic than how it's realistic portrayed in Technicolor but I still thought they did it artistically well in the actual movie. I also like how more cartoony she looks, like the face, now I need an animated version of this!

Sometimes the storyboards aren't always drawn as in the final product or aren't as detailed and stunning as in his later works, but I still like them. I like how in this scene from Notorious (1946), informs how many times a certain amount of people should kiss Alicia's hand. 

I'm starting my own storyboards myself. I know that they don't look fully detailed and cinematic yet but with the addition of words and narration? See for yourself.

Willing to buy the book very soon. I can't wait to look more into these whenever I get the chance.

My Favorite Design of Mickey

 

I usually go out to library to buy some DVDs of old movies and some books that peek my interest. One of them was a collection of comics from the Carl Barks era of Donald Duck and also includes this interesting adaptation of Metropolis starring Mickey Mouse.

For one thing, I absolutely love this design of Mickey. The floppy ears, the cute expressions, just that old movie feel in my perspective. 

I love this cover so much. I also love the outline. That bold outline. Whereas the other corners are pretty thick. It's amazing, it almost makes me want to change my art style, it's maybe more appealing that way when it comes to publishing art.

 

These frames are just outstanding, each one is just cineamtic, so much personality. We get some stellar expressions. Something about it just gives Mickey and the others more character. It's more natural than the characters reacting kinda almost always optimistically. 

Just a quick example of what I like about old movies, I almost love all the climax sequences. I could make a full post on scenes I enjoy and feel inspired to, but one in particular is from The Third Man (1949), the Sewer scene is just phenomenal. Something about Harry Lime's reaction to what's he being chased by, and we have these cool environments that make the scene fun and explanatory.

It's very clear that movie directors aren't only influenced by movies, I see a connection to novels like chapter books and comic books. That's why I always liked storyboards. Next post I'm going to talk about a certain movie director who used storyboards as much as animators do.

I like some of the honest reactions we get here. Also a little sidenote is that the female lead isn't Minnie Mouse at all. It's just so cool to see an iconic character be with someone who while yes looks identical, has different facial features and a tougher more lively personality.

Almost like Oswald and Ortensia. There's just something more cuter but pleasent about their relationship, and not just a carbon copy.

Her name is Minerva, and she just reminds me of what I love about female leads, she's brave, not overly talkative and has a decent amount of emotional depth. She's a good character and I wished there was more of her.

I liked comics as a kid. I remember having alot of the Archie Sonic's and Spongebob comics, and I remember liking the illustrations and creativity. Even remember in elementary school in library class we got ourselves Rutabaga The Adventure Chef which I adored. I apparently got the 2nd book and was also just incredible. Eric Colossal, extremely talented.

But anyways, I still do collect comics, but I usually feel fine reading them only once, but there are some stories I keep on coming back to just like with some movies. 

I have difficulties drawing other things except for characters, I'm not sure if I ever might be animator for hire, I always felt more persuaded to designing, directing and storyboard art, but I would love to study more on drawing different angles and vehicles. Such as the image above, the design of the car is amazing.

I need to talk about the artists, I respect all the artists work that went into this. But from what I seen, Jonathan H. Gray and Paolo Mottura were responsible for the artwork. Mottura in particular outside of comics, his art is just incredible. He might be my favorite Disney artist.

He designed a couple of old movie parodies and this is his best. Obviously from Roman Holiday, Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

It's great because the film is B&W and the original movie posters aren't as visually stunning and lively in my taste. So beautiful, and really cute.

Here is his more incredible art. 

Love the sunset, also love Goofy's design. He looks really calm and appreciates the natural environments of what looks like The Grand Canyon? Not specifically a geologist myself on knowing that completely but still cool.

Another case where he designed Metropolis related artwork. This is just outstanding. Love these limited color tones. It's very passionate and honestly pays excellent tribute to the original Fritz Lang movie. I never actually seen it, but from what I researched so far, looks astonishing. It's a silent film but I grown more fond of them after I saw Safety Last and The Passion of Joan of Arc.

My Favorite Classic Animated Shorts

 

I remember doing a post way back when I started the exploration blog in August of 2024, I did two posts of my favorite cartoons, I since deleted it because I changed my opinion nowadays, and also most of the shorts I didn't really had enough thought to say that they were "masterpieces". I just sorta liked them, and that stems from what I had to say what were my biggest inspirations from over a million posts like how I stated musicals are supposedly better than other genres where I just like more or so the inventiveness and dancing not specifically the singing or anything else. 

These choices feel more clear to me. There will be some familiar cartoons if your a big huge fan of my blog ever since I created it.

The Great Piggy Bank Robbery (1946) 

Still my favorite Looney Tunes cartoon, I love the colors, the designs of the Dick Tracy inspired characters, Daffy's facial expressions are amazing, the action is some of the best in classic animation history. I absolutely love this short ever since I first saw it a few years ago. It was just unlike anything I ever saw.

Heavenly Puss (1949)

My favorite Tom and Jerry cartoon period. It just nails the Heaven and Hell imagery so well, it's challenging but very intriguing, the backgrounds are some of the best I ever seen. It's almost realistic in a way like when Tom enters the Heaven Gates. It's short but it's no exception.

Who Killed Who? (1943)

I was re-visting some old Tex Avery shorts and while I now have different opinions on his work, this is still my favorite out of his MGM shorts. It has everything I want to create myself. It has necessary live action scenes, incredible focus on the environment, and incredibly funny gags while having a mysterious ambience to it. It makes it more mature than the regular ol' comedic appeal and to that I really enjoyed it.

The Last Hungry Cat (1961) and Birds Anonymous (1957)

Normally, I don't watch Sylvester and Tweety cartoons as much. I'm more of a variety viewer, but there is still good moments in their cartoons, but there was 2 shorts from this classic duo that I had to mention. 

The Last Hungry Cat is a parody of Hitchcock specifically Alfred Hitchcock presents. I have watched the 1st episode, but you may have known that I enjoy his movies, like ALOT. The whole short is just Sylvester himself completely paranoid that he somehow killed Tweety, there is some incredible backgrounds, some neat camera angles, and is honestly straightforward for the most part. It's honestly a brilliant move for Freleng to direct this and is truly one of the last greats of the classic Looney Tunes repertoire.

On the other hand, Birds Anonymous is probably one of my favorite Looney Tunes shorts story-wise. It's not going for zany energy, and repeated elements, it's literally all about Sylvester trying to quit being addicted to eat Tweety, and it builds up to some of the most underrated acting I seen in a cartoon. It's just got a gentle and emotional feel to itself and it deserved an Acamedy Award honestly. It was truly original, and was a charming short film altogether.

Trombone Trouble (1944)

I have mixed feelings with Donald Duck's cartoons. He's still a classic and likeable character, but when it comes to directors like Jack King, he can make some of the darkest but most imaginative Disney shorts ever. This is just great and underappreciated. I love the animation, the environment, the scenes of Donald using superpowers, it's just incredible and I highly recommend to give this at least one watch. 

The Goddess Of Spring (1934)

I have posted a full review of this specific cartoon back last July, and yeah, it's still a very massive and ambitious short film that honestly has quite importance especially when it comes to Persephone, it actually helped create one of the most iconic animated films of all time, Snow White, but all that aside, this short film is just beautiful. The natural environments feel alive and the animation with the storm and the imps jumping around is just some intense stuff. 

Pluto's Judgement Day (1935)

Pluto mostly has his heartwarming and tolerable cartoons but this one is just masterful. Disney shorts this era have never been so eerie and fearsome without being too scary for all audiences. This has some great designs, and colors that ooze the dreaded feel of The Underworld. It's kinda disciplinary and I love it.

Scaredy Cat (1948)

This was one of my favorite Looney Tunes shorts ever since I first watched it. It just had an excellent premise and Chuck Jones never disappoints. He was incredibly talented during this period of the Looney Tunes era, and the gags, and intensity crafted in this short still continues to inspire me to this day.

Peace On Earth (1939)

As I got older the more I appreciate this film's message and poignant tone. This film mainly focuses on the imagery of war and gaining world peace. They even mention a Bible verse in this short which is amazing since I'm considered a Christian. This short should be easily seen at least once, it's my favorite cartoon for a reason. 

Bimbo's Initiation (1931)

I easily enjoy Fleischers work. I don't think I liked most of the 1920s output for cartoons except for the awesomeness that was Out Of The Inkwell, such a great series of cartoons. I also think Fleischers 1930s shorts specifically the orchestrated era were easily the best from the Golden Age as well. They just bloom with energy, and the songs are absolutely catchy and fit the vibe of the rubber hose animation but my favorite is Bimbo's Initiation. This is a very funny but intense cartoon and the ideas are all impeccable. 

Duck Amuck (1953)

It's Duck Amuck, I mean what can I even say? It's a masterpiece. The gags, the timing, the energy, the acting I could literally remember more than 75% of the lines from this short. I keep on coming back to this one because it's just got that simple toned-down Chuck Jones charm that I absolutely admire, but also giving off Tex Avery relation to breaking the 4th wall.

Cheese Chasers (1951)

All I got to say for this one is it's ending where "IT JUST DON'T ADD UP!"

I always appreciated the Hubie and Bertie shorts and I often related to Claude Cat in the past. Just a great cartoon and incredibly drawn facial expressions too.

And finally just any of the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. They are all perfectly watchable and have funny moments in them. That "loudmouthed schnook" will always be one of my favorite cartoon characters.

And that is my list of my favorite classic cartoons. I have piled all of them onto my Letterboxd. If anyone would to interview me ever about this topic this would be useful, you'll never know!