LPs are arguably the music aficionado's format of choice – but what are the best movie moments featuring those hypnotic black discs?
This week's Clip joint is by James Arden, a writer and filmmaker who divides his time between London and York. Visit his website or follow him on twitter @jnarden. If you've got an idea for a future Clip joint, drop an email to adam.boult@guardian.co.uk.
The image of the needle on the spinning record, and the accompanying crackling sound, offers a unique visual and auditory opportunity for filmmakers to explore. It can build tension, create dreamy atmospheres, conjure memories or just look cool. Let's also not forget those unbeatable giant record sleeves. This week on Clip joint, we're looking for your best clips about vinyl.
Brighton Rock
In John Boulting's 1947 adaptation of Graham Greene's 1938 novel, Richard Attenborough stars as Pinkie, a psychopathic young gangster in Brighton. Pinkie courts and marries naive local girl Rose in order to prevent her from testifying against him in court. In this clip, Pinkie viciously vents his anger at Rose by recording his voice, only for (implied) divine intervention to protect Rose's fragile heart when she finally listens.
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Almost Famous
In this clip from Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical film about a teenage journalist, we witness a young man's mind being set free. Flipping through the Stones, Zeppelin, Hendrix Dylan, this scene captures the moment of musical discovery, and William's anticipation for what the drop of the needle will bring.
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Shaun of the Dead
In this memorable scene Simon Pegg and Nick Frost speedily decide which records are good enough to keep, and which can be thrown at zombies.
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Electra Glide in Blue
James William Guercio only directed one film, but the opening scene clearly demonstrates his mastery over sound. The crackling record player is indispensable in building the mysterious, chilling atmosphere.
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High Fidelity
John Cusack plays Rob, the quintessential music elitist who enjoys mocking his ignorant customers at his record store. After Rob is dumped by his girlfriend, his truly vinyl-centric existence is laid bare (or rather all over his floor) when he decides to keep his collection in "autobiographical" order.
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Last week Lauren Mullineaux gave her selection of the best movie scenes involving corridors. Here's her pick of suggestions from the thread.
1) discobox went for Silence of the Lambs, with Clarice Starling's descent through a maze of corridors before her first meeting with Hannibal Lecter.
2) Thesubhuman notes that it's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll – as we learn from Spinal Tap
3) Another from Thesubhuman: the close confines of the corridors and stairwell of the brothel intensify the violence in Taxi Driver.
4) littleriver says we're spoilt for choice in Samuel Fuller's Shock Corridor.
5) Both littleriver and jamie12 recommend Wong Kar Wai's 2046.
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2013/may/02/clip-joint-vinyl
Alexa Rae Alexander Korda Alexander Mackendrick Alexander Payne
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