'Thriller' to be preserved by US Library of Congress, plus 24 more films

'Thriller' to be preserved by US Library of Congress, plus 24 more films

Excerpt : Relax News

Friday, 1 January 2010


A selection of 25 films, including historical Hollywood classics, significant documentaries, and student films, were added for preservation by the US Library of Congress for its National Film Registry. The music video for Michael Jackson's song "Thriller" is also among the latest selections.

A total of 524 films have been chosen as "cultural, artistic or historic treasures," and here are this year's other highlights (chronologically):

Little Nemo (1911)
A classic from the comic strip "Little Nemo in Slumberland," a seminal animation and comic artwork, which influenced Walt Disney.

Heroes All (1920)
Created by the Red Cross Bureau of Pictures series, the film provides historical and visual records of World War I, and examines returning wounded WWI veterans.

Jezebel (1938)
Bette Davis won her second Academy Award for this William Wyler-directed film about a head-strong southern belle. Noted for the performances, such as co-star Henry Fonda.

The Mark of Zorro (1940)
Rouben Mamoulian's inventive direction, Tyrone Power plays Don Diego dueling Basil Rathbone.

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
The sci-fi classic where a house cat and common spider become the ultimate threat to existence. Directed by Jack Arnold with imaginative special effects.

Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)
A so-called ‘Spaghetti Western' by director Sergio Leone with Ennio Morricone's score depicts a tale of the railroad and pays homage to Westerns.

Hot Dogs for Gauguin (1972)
A student film at New York University, it stars Danny DeVito as an unlucky photographer and wife Rhea Perlman. Directed by Martin Brest (Beverly Hills Cop, Scent of a Woman).

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Director Sidney Lumet's suspense story about a true-life bank robbery turned media circus, starring Al Pacino whose plan goes awry.

The Muppet Movie (1979)
Musical comedy from the Muppet creators Jim Henson and Frank Oz with Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Animal encountering actors such as Steve Martin and Mel Brooks.

Thriller (1983)
The 14-minute music video for the hit song, was revolutionary at the time. John Landis (Animal House and Blues Brothers) directed.

Also included: the maverick production Stark Love (1927), Roy Rogers cowboy story Under Western Stars (1938), Doris Day and Rock Hudson romantic-comedy Pillow Talk (1959), the Native American documentary The Exiles (1961), and animated short Scratch and Crow (1995).