Nutshells

School of Rock

October 2003 •English

Fired from his band and hard up for cash, guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn finagles his way into a job as a fifth-grade substitute teacher at a private school, where he secretly begins teaching his students the finer points of rock 'n' roll. The school's hard-nosed principal is rightly suspicious of Finn's activities. But Finn's roommate remains in the dark about what he's doing.

Navy Blues

September 1941 •English

On a layover in Hawaii two conniving Navy seamen borrow money to lay down bets that their ship will win the upcoming gunnery practice trophy, having found out that the current gunnery champ has just transferred aboard their ship. What they haven't learned, however, is that the marksman's enlistment is up before the contest is supposed to take place.

Glengarry Glen Ross

September 1992 •English

When an office full of Chicago real estate salesmen is given the news that all but the top two will be fired at the end of the week, the atmosphere begins to heat up. Shelley Levene, who has a sick daughter, does everything in his power to get better leads from his boss, John Williamson, but to no avail. When his coworker Dave Moss comes up with a plan to steal the leads, things get complicated for the tough-talking salesmen.

Rambling 'Round Radio Row #5

June 1933 •English

The Happines Boys Billy Jones and Earnie Hare are invited to a party, but separate themselves from the rest of the guests, so they can not be urged to perform. However, they are watching the other guests from radio doing their stuff: song team Reece & Dunn, as well as the Funnyboners are singing, Smith Ballew and Frances Langford are exchanging love songs, Arthur Tracy tries his luck with a girl, just to find out that she prefers Bing Crosby and 4 orchestra leaders are trying to find out, who the best conductor is, by conducting a piece of recorded music....

Notes of Life

Invalid date •English

Mike is a a failed singer/songwriter with a good heart. When he decides to give his dream one last shot by entering a singing contest, he is threatened by rising talent, J.R. When friendly competition turns personal, Mike must search his soul to find himself and deliver his greatest performance.

Lafangey Parindey

August 2010 •Hindi

The path of a street fighter and a dancer on skates, who are in love, is paved by friendship, grit and hope.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas

December 1977 •English

A poor otter family risks everything for the chance to win the cash prize of a talent contest for Christmas.

Afghan Star

December 2008 •English

This documentary on the effect the talent competition "Afghan Star" has on the incredibly diverse inhabitants of Afghanistan affords a glimpse into a country rarely seen. Contestants risk their lives to appear on the television show that is a raging success with the public and also monitored closely by the government.

80 for Brady

February 2023 •English

Four longtime best friends decide to live life to the fullest by embarking on a wild trip to Super Bowl LI to see their hero, quarterback Tom Brady play. Inspired by a true story.

State Fair

February 1933 •English

The children of Iowa farmers find love, with mixed results, at the state fair.

Dangerous When Wet

June 1953 •English

The health conscious, dairy-farming Higgins family begin each day with an invigorating swim. One day, traveling health-tonic salesman, Windy Weebe, comes to town and suggests they could swim the English Channel. Sponsored by "Liquapep" and coached by Windy, the family arrive in Europe. There it is decided that daughter Katie is the only one strong enough to enter the contest. But while she should be focused on the difficult and risky task ahead, Katie is pursed by dashing Frenchman, André Lanet... This comedic musical is well remembered for the scene when Katie dreams she is swimming with cartoon characters Tom & Jerry!

X Un Millón de Euros

June 2023 •Spanish

A Really Important Person

January 1947 •English

A policeman's son searches for a suitable subject for an essay about an important person.

Contest

February 1982 •Romanian

An outdoors orientation contest turns into a journey to the participants' self and conscience.

I'm Much Obliged

May 1936 •English

Newspaper columnist Mr. Inquisitive telephones readers to ask, "What would you like to do?", with the chosen responses being eligible for a prize. The callees include torch singer Vera Van, bandleader Lester Cole (and his Texas Rangers), and other late-period vaudeville acts, all whom are ready to perform.

Heat Wave

February 1991 •Japanese

Rin Jyoshima lost her father to death-by-gambling; years later, she's grown up in the Kosugi household and has fallen victim to gambling herself.

All-American Co-Ed

October 1941 •English

Fraternity brothers enter one of their own into a scholarship lottery after a women's college insults them. Though the Zeta boys are celebrated for their comedy drag revue, staying undercover as a woman at an all-girls' school wasn't part of the rehearsal!

Please Stand By

January 2018 •English

A young autistic woman runs away from her caregiver in order to boldly go and deliver her 500-page Star Trek script to a writing competition in Hollywood. On an adventure full of laughter and tears, Wendy follows the guiding spirit of Mr. Spock on her journey into the unknown.

Make Believe Ballroom

April 1949 •English

Liza Lee, fast-talking press agent for Al Jarvis, persuades Jarvis to stage a Musical Mystery Contest, with a $5000 prize to the person who can first name the most musical numbers and their performers. Lots of musicians perform.

The Golden Eagle

December 1964 •Chinese

'Golden Eagle' is crowned wrestling champion at the Aobao Meeting, but subsequent conflicts break out between Glden Eagle and the Lord of Ba-yin. Expelled from the tribe, he meets and falls in love with San-Tan. But their affair arouses the jealousy of her suitor Chaganhu.