The People vs. Oscar

Everyone in 1957 couldn't get enough of "The Bridge on the River Kwai."

David Lean's epic film recounts the experience of a British officer and POW who is tasked to build a bridge for his captors. Meanwhile, his American allies seek to destroy the bridge which could help the enemy in war. The film was both the highest grossing film of the year and winner of seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. But does the film hold up? Listen to find out.

1956 was all about the sprawling epic.

Both the People and Oscar chose three hour epics that could not be more different.

Cecil B. DeMille's "The Ten Commandments," based on the Book of Exodus, was not just the highest grossing film of the year, but still stands as one of the top 10 highest grossing films of all time, adjusted for inflation.

The Oscars went global with "Around the World in 80 Days," the movie equivalent of a lazy Sunday spent watching a TV stuck on The Travel Channel.

Which epic won out? Listen to find out.

Love and Italian food are in the air in 1955.

Both the people and Oscar went for unlikely romances. "Marty" follows a lonely butcher who falls for a meek schoolteacher. Nothing says Oscar like leading man Ernest Borgnine. Meanwhile, Disney had a hit on their hands with the ultimate star crossed dog lovers in "Lady and the Tramp." Which romance made our hearts soar? Listen to find out.

1954 was an embarrassment of riches.

Both films this week landed on AFI's Top Movies of All Time and are housed in the National Film Registry.

"Rear Window" remains one of Alfred Hitchcock's finest masterpieces and still is suspenseful today. "On the Waterfront" features some of the best writing and acting ever, including possibly the best Marlon Brando. See which one gets our vote on the latest "People vs Oscar" episode.

What's a better vacation destination: Hawaii or Neverland?

"The People vs. Oscar" takes a trip to the beach with our 1953 picks. The Disney classic "Peter Pan" transported us back to our childhood, pirates and all. Meanwhile, Oscar winner "From Here to Eternity" features two strong Hawaii set romances, even if they never converge well. Listen to see who prevailed, Captain Hook or Frank Sinatra.

What's the greatest form of entertainment - cinema or the circus?

1952 pits the two entertainment titans against each other. Oscar rewarded "The Greatest Show on Earth" a love letter to the grandiose nature of the circus. However, people turned out in droves to test out the latest revolution in film technology... Cinerama.

What's more grand - a Biblical epic or an old-fashioned musical extravaganza?

Opulence comes front and center in 1951. The Oscars doubled down on Gene Kelly's dance focused musical romance "An American in Paris." But was there more to the film than just song and dance? The people flocked to "Quo Vadis" to watch Rome crumble. Did the movie crumble with it though? Tune in to hear who won 1951 - the people or Oscar?

Buckle up, Cinderella, it's going to be a bumpy night.

Our first "People vs Oscar" episode of the 1950s pits two famous social climbers against each other. The Best Picture winning "All About Eve" stands as a high water mark of cinematic achievement and acting. Meanwhile, Disney's "Cinderella" stands as one of the most famous, and still consistently remade, princess tales. Do either of them hold up? Tune in to find out.

We've come to the end of the 40s, which provided us with many more new films for us to discover.

To wrap up the decade, we choose our favorites of the decade, including Best Picture, Director, Lead Performance, Supporting Performance, Writing and Craft.

The 40s end with two very different types of movies. "All the Kings Men" seems more timely than ever as an "every-man" politician balloons into a corrupt leader. Meanwhile, "Samson and Delilah" cements itself as a lavish relic of the past. It's spacious sets and glorious costumes exemplify the golden age of Hollywood epics. What wins: the timely political message or soapy Biblical epic?