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Gregory Peck plays the controversial American general, Douglas McArthur, who made his name in World War II and met his match in Korea.

Ironic that a 'police action' toppled so many giants from the previous war.

This comm acknowledges the Korean War on July 27th (the day of its cease-fire) but since this is the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, I thought I'd mention it today. I decided to choose a non-war film from that year to commemorate the occasion.

The Asphalt Jungle was released on June 1, 1950, twenty-four days before the war began. It's considered one of the finest of the film noir/heist flick genres, starring Sterling Hayden and featuring Marilyn Monroe in one of her earlier roles in a memorable performance. Tough, taut, and thrilling, this film delivers the goods in fine 1950s style.

This is my favorite Marilyn Monroe movie. Marilyn's career was just taking off, and she and Niagara Falls were wonders indeed! :)

The story is compelling, the acting fun, and the setting can't be beat! In 1953, Marilyn would also enjoy two of her most famous hits, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How To Marry A Millionaire, pictures with 'dumb blonde' roles, but in Niagara she plays a scheming wife out to kill her husband.

Jean Peters and Joseph Cotten also add acting chops in a movie that embodies 1953 sophistication. Sure, it's a melodrama and can be over-the-top, but it's smashing fun! :)

Today is the 66th anniversary of the end of the Korean War (July 27, 1953). Technically, the war never ended as a peace treaty between North and South Korea was never signed, and the tensions continue even today.

M*A*S*H* is often called a movie more about the Vietnam War than the Korean War, but both the movie and TV show keeps the Korean War in popular culture. The movie also inspired one of the most popular and critically-acclaimed TV shows in history, including record-setting ratings for its series finale on February 28, 1983.

Today, June 6th, is the 75th anniversary of D-Day, the enormous Allied operation to finally breach Hitler's Fortress Europe. The World War II vets are leaving us every day, but their sacrifice and service should never be forgotten.

The Longest Day, a movie released in 1962, gives a good accounting of the events of that day from both sides. Best scene in the movie (not seen in the trailer): the German in the bunker seeing the vast Allied armada for the first time as the morning fog clears.

The past few years the comm has been observing the Korean War on its anniversary date of its start, June 25th (1950). It's not officially scheduled this year but I wanted to mention it, and chose The Manchurian Candidate as my offering.

This 1962 film is a chilling take on the concept of brainwashing, which became known in the 1950s, especially during the Korean War. What were the Communists doing to our POWs, especially those choosing to stay in Communist North Korea and China?

This movie dramatizes that question with stand-out performances by Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Janet Leigh, James Gregory, Leslie Parrish, and most notably, Angela Lansbury. Ms. Lansbury's performance was one of the most chilling ever seen on screen. She should have won an Oscar for this one!

Not many chuckles in this film (the level of violence is shocking for 1962) but if you watch it, pay particular attention to James Gregory's McCarthyesque character complaining about needing a firm number for his Communist witch hunt (not seen in the trailer). The next cut will make you laugh out loud. :)

The film was released on October 24, 1962, right in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis!