Jill Clayburgh, Michael Douglas & Charles Grodin in It's My Turn (1980)

Kate (Clayburgh) plays it safe - she has all her life. She's a mathematics professor in Chicago, lives with a nice man (Grodin) and doesn't tempt fate. When a job interview and the wedding of her widowed father sends her to New York she finds herself presented with a choice that promises to rock the boat. That choice comes in the form of Ben (Douglas), a former ball player, married and the complete antithesis of everything Kate has tried to do with her life. Will she cut loose and go with her gut just once, and if she does, how will that decision effect her future?

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This film has some charming performances in it, and displays some sly wit. The title song was a big hit for Diana Ross, reaching number 9 on the charts. Look for Beverly Garland and Dianne Weist in small roles.

Though it's never been available on DVD, you can find this title to rent on YouTube. A VHS release was made and tapes can still be found. Above is the television trailer for it, uploaded to YouTube by robatsea2009.

Obscurity factor: 8 (not on DVD, available to rent on YouTube, not well remembered)

James Caan & Marsha Mason in Cinderella Liberty (1973)

Obscurity factor: 8

American Life Network strikes again! This film was on a few days ago as part of their "R to G" film series. Now aside from the fact that I think this is a particularly peculiar marketing concept - taking the teeth out of a film and trying to use that fact as a virtue - it really makes this film a bit of a confused mess, with almost half the dialog bleeped out and entire scenes removed. The intent and charm of the film still shines through though. John Baggs Jr. (Caan) is on leave from his ship because of a little medical problem. While in Seattle he meets Maggie Paul (Mason), a prostitute in a bar and is drawn into her chaotic, impoverished life with her illegitimate mixed-race son. As their relationship develops his Navy records are lost and he finds himself in limbo with no source of pay and no place to go. As he gets by on Navy relief funds, his connection to Maggie and her son deepens. Will he be able to pull himself and them out of the seedy life they find themselves in?

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This film has a lot going for it. The acting and direction are first rate and the gritty story has a warmth and genuineness to it that rings true. James Caan, at the top of his game is adorable and Marsha Mason, in her first, big, featured role gives a powerful, yet subtle performance. Look for Eli Wallach as a burnt out old drill sergeant, down on his luck and Dabney Coleman as a heartless base commander.

Though not high in the public consciousness, this film is available on DVD. The scene above is the first meeting of John and Maggie. It was uploaded to YouTube by mistofoles.

Obscurity factor: 8 (not well known, available on DVD)

Cary Grant & Ingrid Bergman in Indiscreet (1958)

Obscurity factor: 4

My friend Russell reminded me of this film last night. It's charming, and one of the lesser known comedies of both stars. When actress Anna Kalman (Bergman) meets economist Phillip Adams (Grant) it's love at first sight. They begin a whirlwind romance and everything is rosy until an awful truth is revealed - Phillip is a bachelor. In order to protect himself from matrimonially minded females, he has concocted a fictitious wife from whom he is estranged, but cannot be divorced. Anna cannot bear the thought of having been deceived, so she plots her revenge!

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This charming film has elements of both a romance and a screw-ball comedy, though with a polished, sophisticated luster to it. The dialog is snappy and smart and the production values are lush with beautiful sets and costumes to enchant the eye.

Though it's not one of the films that first comes to mind when you think of the two stars, it is still a film that has a place in the public consciousness. It's available on DVD and can be found on YouTube in full, though the uploader has disabled embedding. Click this link to see it: http://youtu.be/fftrNmf21Jo. The clip above features the first meeting of Anna and Phillip and was uploaded by hitchclassic.

Obscurity factor: 4 (known, but not iconic, available on DVD and YouTube)

Burt Reynolds & Goldie Hawn in Best Friends (1982)

Obscurity factor: 5

This is one of my favorite early 80's comedy films. Screen writers Richard Babson (Reynolds) and Paula McCullen (Hawn) live together, work together and love each other, so when they decide to get married after many years it should just be a rubber stamp for their relationship. But it's funny, how a little word can change everything. After their civil ceremony they board a train headed back east for a honeymoon trip to visit their families (Perhaps their first mistake?). Paula has commitment issues, feeling like marriage is one step toward death and she doesn't want to get caught in the trap of the traditional role of wife. Visiting the traditional suburban homes of their youth just ads fuel to the fire of her discontent, with hilariously touching results.

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This bitter-sweet romance directed by Norman Jewison is a beautiful character study of modern partners with charming performances by the two stars. Burt Reynolds is deft with the comedy, lightening heartfelt scenes with his charm. The pace is leisurely and comfortable and the beautiful score by Michel LeGrand with two touching songs sung by James Ingram and Patti Austin, produced by Quincy Jones strikes just the right note. Look for great turns by Jessica Tandy, Barnard Hughes, Audra Lindly and Keenan Wynn as the in-laws, Ron Silver as their boss at the studio and Richard Libertini as the wacky officiate at their wedding.

This film is available on DVD and can be watched in full on YouTube, thanks to an upload by ClassicRocknRolla1. Part one is above. I highly recommend it.

Obscurity factor: 5 (on DVD, available on YouTube, not well know)

Arye Gross & Louise Fletcher in Big Eden (2000)

Henry Hart (Gross) is a successful artist living in New York. On the eve of his latest show he receives word that his grandfather - his only living relative - is in the hospital back in his home town in Montana. Much to the consternation of his agent and friend Mary Margaret (Veanne Cox) he leaves to be with him. Upon arriving home he is immersed in old emotions about his best friend and high school crush Dean Stewart (Tim DeKay) and new entanglements with Pike (Eric Schweig), the native American store owner who has a crush on him.

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One of the most delightful aspects of Big Eden is the total lack of homophobia in the residents of the town, despite Henry's internalized homophobia. Each and every one of them completely accept the same-sex attraction between the central characters as natural, and they do everything they can to help it come out right with understanding and compassion. In stark contrast to yesterday's post, it's such a breath of fresh air to see a vision of a world where being gay is a non-issue.

This film was recently released, so it can be easily found on DVD. The trailer is above, uploaded to YouTube by FrameLine.

Obscurity factor: 3 (known and loved in the gay community, largely unknown to the general public, available on DVD)

Rosalind Russell & Alec Guinness in A Majority of One (1961)

Obscurity factor: 7

My friend Ranse reminded me of this film last night. Rosalind Russell plays Bertha Jacoby, a Jewish widow living in Brooklyn. When her son-in-law receives a post as a diplomat in Japan she joins them to live with her daughter in Tokyo. On the ship she meets business man Koichi Asano (Guinness). Both of them lost loved ones in the Japanese/American conflict in WWII and there is friction between them because of it. However they eventually strike up an unlikely romance, but the cultural differences between them must be surmounted and that seems like a tall order.

This charming film has a warm message of understanding and forgiveness. Russell makes a quirky, delightful Jewish mother and what could have been an uncomfortable performance by a lesser actor a is low key and respectful one with Guinness as the Japanese business man.

This is recently available on DVD. The trailer is above, posted to YouTube by skipjacktuner. The poster is available from MoviePosterShop.com.

Obscurity factor: 7 (available on DVD, not well remembered, though it does have a small, devoted following)

Demi Moore & Jeff Daniels in The Butcher's Wife (1991)

Obscurity factor: 3

Marina (Demi Moore) has a knack for second sight. She's able to see exactly what everyone else needs. As with many psychics, however, she has trouble seeing her own path clearly. When New York butcher Leo (George Dzundza) washes up on the shore of her North Carolina island home she recognizes him from dreams she's had and believes that he's her soulmate. Who is he to argue? Demi Moore just proposed marriage! He brings her home and they begin life together in the cozy, New York neighborhood he lives and works in. Marina, however, continues to use her second sight to help the lives of the neighborhood residents, which disturbs Leo and psychologist, Alex Tremor (Jeff Daniels). Will Marina's influence on the neighbors and her inability to see what's right for her threaten to destroy the little world of the neighborhood?

This charming film has a delightfully mystical quality to it. It's also such a lovely portrayal of the nature of New York neighborhoods to become close knit communities. It's a bit disconcerting to see Demi Moore as a blond, but that can be forgiven for the honest performance she gives. Also in the cast are Mary Steenburgen (singing, quite well, actually), Frances McDormand, Margaret Colin, Christopher Durang and female impersonator, Charles Pierce.

The film is available on DVD and can also be seen in full you YouTube. The link to the first installment is above, uploaded by filmfreak420. The poster above is available from MoviePosterShop.com.

Obscurity factor: 3 (fairly recent production, available on DVD and YouTube, not a huge hit when released and not well remembered)

Liv Ullman and Gene Kelly in 40 Carats 1973

It was 1973, the taboos of the previous generation were dieing to the general movie going public, but slowly. 40 Carats took a look at one of those taboos - the older woman/younger man relationship (the term "cougar" had yet to be coined). Ullmann plays real estate agent Ann Stanley, recently divorced from an actor (Gene Kelly) and living with her teen aged daughter and mother in New York. While on a trip to Greece she has a chance encounter and one night stand on a beach with a young man. She doesn't bargain on running into him back home or becoming the object of his matrimonial desires. Among her friends and family members she finds skepticism, but eventually acceptance. She, however, is her own worst enemy and is paralyzed with self doubt about the relationship. There's a lot of charm in this film version of the successful Broadway play, but a few flaws as well. Edward Albert (Eddie Albert's son), Gene Kelly and Nancy Walker (Ann's secretary) are just charming in their roles. Binnie Barnes (Ann's mother) and Deborah Raffin (her daughter) are a bit stilted and Ms. Ullmann is a bit bleak. It's also an odd casting choice because she was considerably younger than 40 at the time the film was made, but she seemed to make a career of playing older women in her youth. (She was playing her late 30's in Persona when she was in her early 20's.) The role was originally offered to Audry Hepburn, which would have been much more appropriate casting, but she didn't want to leave her home for a shoot in New York. All in all, it's worth seeing. It's a fun time capsule of the early 1970's in New York and an engaging story. Look for a fun cameo by Natalie Schafer as one of Ann's customers.

There seems to be some confusion about whether this is out on DVD or not. It's listed on Amazon as having been released in 2010, but is unavailable. It can be found on VHS and can be watched on Amazon on demand. There is no video of it on YouTube whatsoever. The poster above can be found on Amazon.com

Obscurity factor: 9 (Confusion about DVD, on VHS, not on YouTube, largely forgotten)