Napoli's 2013 National Film Registry Submissions

Written by Michael Napoli

Can you believe it? 2013 is coming to a close. After a long year, it's that time where we see countless “top ten” lists of the very best films. Critics and guilds will bestow their honors among the very best performances and technical triumphs. As much we like to root for our favorites to receive such honors, many a times there is always a chance of being snubbed, a term that the marketing department at any studio dreads to hear.

Now I will reveal my top ten list soon, but I want to focus my attention on another “top list” that I personally look forward to. It's a list that most film lovers tend to neglect. In fact, this is a list that has begun since 1989 and has continued to grow. I might even go as far to say it has become a library. I am talking about the National Film Registry.

Every year the United States National Film Preservation Board, established in 1988, names up to 25 “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant films” for preservation. The films range in a wide variety of categories such as narrative feature, animated (short/narrative), experimental, documentary, etc. As of 2012, the registry holds 600 titles including greats like Citizen Kane, Star Wars, Toy Story, and 2001: A Space Odyssey along with unknown titles that worth checking out.

Unlike many of the critic's groups and guild awards, the Registry enforces the public to nominate 50 titles for consideration. The only eligibility is that the film be ten years old. I submitted my ballot back in March and with the 2013 entries to be announced within the next few weeks, I decided to share the 50 films I put on my ballot.

1. Dickson Greeting (1891)

One of the very first films to be shown to the public.

2. The Circus (1928)

A prime example of Chaplin's true genius for visual gags. It was so good, he received an Honorary Oscar for acting, directing, producing, & writing the film.

3. Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928)

The "Great Stone Face" crafts one of his funniest films with one of the most famous stunts in movie history.

4. The Champ (1931)

A tale of a boxer looking to clean up for his son is powerful because of the two lead performances of Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper. A gem of the 1930's.

5. The Band Concert (1935)

One of Disney's most acclaimed shorts shows Mickey Mouse in color for the very first time.

6. Dumbo (1941)

After the failure of Fantasia, Disney creates this underrated masterpiece that is heartwarming, strange, and quite terrifying.

7. The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

The human spirit and the spirit of baseball has never been more inspirational than in this classic starring Gary Cooper as the tragic Lou Gerhig.  Of course, the final speech is one for the ages.

8. The Cabin in the Sky (1943)

An musical based on the Faust legend features an all African American cast. The debut film of Vincente Minnelli has some of the biggest talents of the time, Ethel Waters, Lena Horne and Louis Armstrong.

9. Heaven Can Wait (1943)

Before there was the 70's, Warren Beatty remake, there was this darkly funny comedy from Ernst Lubitsch. It's quite amazing that a film was made at this time. A man wants to enter hell. Enough said.

10. At Land (1944)

Groundbreaking filmmaker Maya Deren's experimental film provides an interesting experience of a woman dealing with her place in the physical world.

11. Fireworks (1947)

A brave film from Kenneth Anger that deals with themes of homosexuality. After the release of the film, Anger was arrested for obscenity. Luckily, the courts declared the film art.

12. Fast and Furry-ous (1949)

The first cartoon short to introduce Wile E. Coyote & The Roadrunner.  Chuck Jones gives us many trademark gags that would used in future Looney Tunes cartoons.  But I can also argue that it sets up the physics for the cartoon universe.

13. Rooty Toot Toot (1951)

It's hip, it's cool, it's completely original.  A cartoon from UPA, it's one of the greatest animated shorts I've ever seen. A perfect example of the jazz culture and the shift into expressionist animation.

14. Strangers on a Train (1951)

One of the best Hitchcock films ever. As soon as the film begins, you are enthralled in every scene from the infamous scene to the final showdown in a carousel. Robert Walker plays one of films most notorious bad guys.

15. Rabbit Seasoning (1952)

Honestly, this is one of the few films that has made me laugh out loud. The second installment of Chuck Jones' "hunting trilogy"and by far the funniest, we see Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd go back to forth about guns, signs, and pronouns.

16. Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Controversial for its time, Blackboard Jungle is a true time capsule of the rock and roll era.  

17. Lady and the Tramp (1955)

One of my favorite Disney movies has one of or maybe THE most famous kissing scene in cinematic history. It's true that they do not make movies like this anymore.

18. The Blob (1958)

Easily one of the most famous cult films of the 1950's. It has such a following, that every year people come together to be apart of Blobfest. Having Steve McQueen in his first lead role isn't to bad either.

19. Mary Poppins (1964)

Walt Disney takes us to the world of Mary Poppins. The debut of the impeccable Julie Andrews, the classic songs of the Sherman brothers, and the mix of live action and animation, it not only is it one of the best musicals, but probably Walt Disney's finest achievement.

20. Time Piece (1965)

It's a race against the clock. Painted elephants, animated shapes, and a flying man are some of the bizarre things we come across in this experimental film from the one and only Jim Henson.

21. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Mike Nichols' debut film bursts with raw performances from one of the greatest plays ever. A cast of only four actors, along with beautiful black and white, it's a defining film of the late 1960's.

22. Bambi Meets Godzilla (1969)

It speaks for itself.  A film that was drawn in Marv Newland's room, the film is hysterical with a payoff to match.

23. Downhill Racer (1969)

A very subtle film about the very nature of sports. Gorgeous cinematography and a nuanced performance from a young Robert Redford, Downhill Racer maybe one of the best sport films.

24. The Candidate (1972)

Another Robert Redford film, this time he's working the campaign trail in this Oscar winning satire that feels as fresh and vibrant when it was released.

25. Hearts & Minds (1974)

Often considered one of the greatest documentaries ever, the Oscar winning Hearts & Minds brings the Vietnam War to a new level. 

*Check back later this week for the other 25 films*