Innovation, Discrimination, and Bureaucracy in Cinema

Vocabulary-style flashcards documenting directors, lead actors, and recurring cast members across major films categorized by themes such as innovation, discrimination, and bureaucracy.

The Man in the White Suit (1951)

A film directed by Alexander Mackendrick starring Alec Guinness as Sidney Stratton, Joan Greenwood as Daphne Birnley, and Cecil Parker as Alan Birnley.

High and Low (1963)

A film directed by Akira Kurosawa featuring Toshirō Mifune as Kingo Gondo and Takashi Shimura as the Chief of the Investigation Section.

Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988)

A film directed by Francis Ford Coppola starring Jeff Bridges as Preston Tucker and Joan Allen as Vera Tucker.

Imitation of Life (1934)

A film directed by John M. Stahl starring Claudette Colbert as Beatrice “Bea” Pullman and Louise Beavers as Delilah Johnson.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

A film directed by Robert Mulligan starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch and Mary Badham as Jean Louise “Scout” Finch.

In the Heat of the Night (1967)

A film directed by Norman Jewison starring Sidney Poitier as Detective Virgil Tibbs and Rod Steiger as Police Chief Bill Gillespie.

Bad Day at Black Rock (1955)

A film directed by John Sturges starring Spencer Tracy as John J. Macreedy and Robert Ryan as Reno Smith.

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967)

A film directed by Stanley Kramer starring Spencer Tracy as Matt Drayton, Katharine Hepburn as Christina Drayton, and Sidney Poitier as Dr. John Prentice.

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

A film directed by Frank Capra starring Jean Arthur as Clarissa Saunders and James Stewart as Jefferson Smith.

Brazil (1985)

A film directed by Terry Gilliam starring Jonathan Pryce as Sam Lowry and Robert De Niro as Archibald “Harry” Tuttle.

Ikiru (1952)

A film directed and co-written by Akira Kurosawa starring Takashi Shimura as Kanji Watanabe.

The Lives of Others (2006)

A film directed and written by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck starring Ulrich Mühe as Captain Gerd Wiesler.

On the Waterfront (1954)

A film directed by Elia Kazan starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy and Karl Malden as Father Barry.

The Searchers (1956)

A film directed by John Ford starring John Wayne as Ethan Edwards and Jeffrey Hunter as Martin Pawley.

Patton (1970)

A film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner with a screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola and Edmund H. North, starring George C. Scott.

Dirty Harry (1971)

A film directed by Don Siegel starring Clint Eastwood as Inspector “Dirty” Harry Callahan.

Sidney Poitier (Roles)

Actor who played Detective Virgil Tibbs in In the Heat of the Night and Dr. John Prentice in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.

Spencer Tracy (Roles)

Actor who played John J. Macreedy in Bad Day at Black Rock and Matt Drayton in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.

Rod Steiger (Roles)

Actor who played Police Chief Bill Gillespie in In the Heat of the Night and Charley “Charlie” Malloy in On the Waterfront.

Karl Malden (Roles)

Actor who played Father Barry in On the Waterfront and General Omar Bradley in Patton.

Akira Kurosawa (Directing)

Director associated with High and Low and Ikiru.

Harry Carey vs. Harry Carey Jr.

Harry Carey played the President of the Senate in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington; Harry Carey Jr. played Brad Jorgensen in The Searchers.

Jean Arthur (Cross-Film)

Appeared in The More the Merrier, Shane, and as Clarissa Saunders in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

James Stewart (Cross-Film)

Played George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life and Jefferson Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Beulah Bondi (Cross-Film)

Played Ma Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life and Ma Smith in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Thomas Mitchell (Cross-Film)

Played Uncle Billy in It’s a Wonderful Life and Dix Moore in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Edward Arnold (Cross-Film)

Played D. B. Norton in Meet John Doe and Jim Taylor in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Walter Brennan (Cross-Film)

Played The Colonel in Meet John Doe and Doc Velie in Bad Day at Black Rock.

Eugene Pallette (Cross-Film)

Played Alexander Bullock in My Man Godfrey and Chick McGann in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Katharine Hepburn (Cross-Film)

Played Lutie Cameron Brewton in Sea of Grass and Christina Drayton in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.