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Movies about... movies

Looking behind the scenes

By Eric Robinette COX NEWS SERVICE | Tuesday, August 19, 2008

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DAYTON, OHIO — With the release of the latest movie about movies, "Tropic Thunder," it seemed like a good time to look back on the greatest movies about movies.

While looking over the list, you'll notice that a lot of the films weren't about movies per se — they were more about filmmakers or had filmmaking scenes in them. Hopefully, that makes this compilation a little more varied and fun.

1. Sunset Boulevard: Even people who haven't seen this movie know the line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. DeMille" ... even when they don't know who Mr. DeMille is. Bonus points: William Holden's character works for a Dayton newspaper.

2. The Bad and the Beautiful: This is the best Hollywood movie about producing films and the behind-the-scenes double-dealings. Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner lead a great cast, with striking direction by Vincente Minnelli.

3. Singin' in the Rain: You've got to have this movie on any best-of list; it's a Hollywood law.

4. Sullivan's Travels: This is Preston Sturges' best film, about a director who wants to make a picture of dignity. A true canvas of the suffering of humanity - but with a little sex in it.

5. A Star Is Born: The 1954 Judy Garland version offers a dramatic look at how Hollywood can build up stars - and tear them down. Also of interest: the 1937 nonmusical and the film "What Price Hollywood," which gave rise to this story and like "Star" was directed by George Cukor.

6. Peeping Tom: This deeply troubling journey into the dark side of film was so shocking, it ruined director Michael Powell's career even after he directed classics including "The Red Shoes." Its subject: a man who films his murder victims.

7. The Purple Rose of Cairo: Woody Allen's valentine to Hollywood romanticism is the purest expression of movie love, as Mia Farrow falls for a movie character played by Jeff Daniels, who steps right off the silver screen.

8. The Aviator: The director most in tune with Hollywood's past, Martin Scorsese, makes a movie about one of its nerviest men, Howard Hughes. This film gives us two great Kates for the price of one: Cate Blanchett plays Katharine Hepburn.