MOTHER LOVIN’

ESSENTIAL FILMS OF THE 1960S

MOTHER LOVIN

ESSENTIAL FILMS OF THE 1960S

MOTHER has long been inspired by the world of cinema: the simultaneous grunge and glamour of Hollywood, the effortless style of characters throughout the French New Wave era, and the dark, twisted storylines that take over the body and mind for hours on end. Few art forms are capable of captivating an audience quite like film is, and for that, we see true cinematic masterpieces withstand the test of time and make an impact on culture decades down the line.

From Hitchcock thrillers to moody love affairs set in Saint Tropez, the 1960s was a golden era in film. It wrestled with the dynamics of love, ideas of control within class and sex, and invited speculations of dystopia into the mainstream narrative: housewives are protagonists, lust leads to murder and the food chain is flipped upside down. Ready for a movie marathon? Here are MOTHER’s most essential films of the 1960s.

Belle Du Jour

Based on the 1928 novel by Joseph Kessel, Belle Du Jour tells the story of Séverine Serizy, a loving housewife who doubles as a high-class prostitute while her husband, Pierre, is away at work. Séverine loves Pierre but is unable to open up to him physically. Instead, she dreams of bondage, masochism and domination — unfulfilled fantasies that eventually lead her into the world of prostitution. Séverine’s new afternoon activity thrills her, giving her the sexual satisfaction she’s been waiting for, but when one of her customers becomes possessive, the story takes a turn. Attempted murder, hot and heavy romance and overwhelming desire — this one’s got MOTHER’s name all over it.


Les Biches

Filled with drama, jealousy and lust, Les Biches follows the relationship of Frédérique and Why, two beautiful French women, and their love triangle with Paul, a talented architect. Frédérique invites Why on a romantic getaway to her villa in Saint Tropez, but at a party, Why meets Paul. She slips off with him, unaware that Frédérique has them followed. Frédérique, fueled by jealousy, sets out to seduce Paul, and leaves a wake of drama in her path. A twisted ending — a heated confession, a poisoned dagger and dark intentions — shows how the struggle for control in love can so easily turn deadly.

Valley of the Dolls 

That’s show business. A haunting tale of three rising stars — Anne Welles, Neely O’Hara and Jennifer North — who experience waves of failure, success, heartbreak and addiction, as they attempt to break into the entertainment industry. Based on a 1966 novel by Jacqueline Susann, Valley of the Dolls is filled with A+ ‘60s fashion, camp aesthetics and plenty of drama through which the role of alcohol and barbiturates (or “dolls”) in Hollywood is uncovered and explored. Ultimately, we see the true toll of fame emerge through the film’s three protagonists — dissolved friendships, affairs, catfights and suicide — while we witness the demise of their starlit dreams.


The Graduate 

Benjamin Braddock is a recent college graduate who’s just returned home to live with his parents in Pasadena, California. Disconnected from his mother, father and any semblance of college life, he gives into the unexpected advances of Mrs. Robinson, the wife of his father’s law partner. Benjamin and Mrs. Robinson’s romance lives only at the Taft Hotel, a retreat they escape to nightly, until he falls for Mr. and Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, Elaine. Benjamin’s unfavorable secret slowly rots the ground beneath him as he’s faced with the ultimate fight to prove his love. 

The Birds

Alfred Hitchcock’s 1962 thriller The Birds is a relic from the pre-CGI world. The film is inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s 1952 novel and true events that unfolded in Santa Cruz, California, in 1961: flocks of seagulls (that were, unbeknownst to residents, infected with toxic algae) suddenly turned violent, dive-bombing cars and homes throughout the neighborhood. Hitchcock’s rendition takes place in Bodega Bay, California, and in true form, feeds upon the horror of unexplained chaos. Tension slowly builds — first chickens won’t eat, then bodies begin to turn up with their eyes pecked out — until swarms of birds begin to invade. MOTHER nature gone awry.

Illustrations by Lydia Thomas

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