"The Legend of 1900"

As Oscar Sunday is finally here, this is going to be my final movie trailer (for now, anyway).

"The Legend of 1900" was directed by Italian filmmaker Giuseppe Tornatore and released in 1998. Tim Roth stars as a musically gifted orphan named Danny Boodman T.D. Lemon 1900 - or 1900 for short - who spends his entire life aboard the fictional SS Virginian (There really was a ship by that name, however, which was launched in 1904).

The film's Virginian's appearance was very much inspired by both the Lusitania and the Mauretania, with the latter's First Class Dining Room acting as the model for the ship's.

"Beyond the Poseidon Adventure"

The sequel is an inevitable thing in the film industry - especially if the movie was successful like "The Poseidon Adventure" - "Beyond the Poseidon Adventure" (1979) stars Michael Caine, Sally Field, Telly Savalas and Karl Malden.

It did not do so well critically, and remains to be the only Irwin Allen picture not to receive an Academy Award nomination.

"The Poseidon Adventure"

"The Poseidon Adventure" was a part of the disaster movie craze that really started in the 1970s. Parts of it (prior to capsizing, of course) were filmed aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. For the rogue wave scenes, a fully operational scale model of the famous Cunarder was also built - complete with working propellers and funnels.

"Ghost Ship"

So far I've posted trailers to three dramas and a comedy. Let's add horror to the mix, shall we?

"Ghost Ship" takes place an abandoned Italian ocean liner, the fictitious Antonia Graza (which seems to be heavily modeled off the Andrea Doria). The beginning of the film (before everyone dies, that is) gives one a terrific idea of what it was like to be aboard one of these liners in the 1950s. Even when the ship reappears in its rusted and desolate state, there is still beauty to be found. It reminded me of a shipwreck....albeit one that floats.

"Out to Sea"

"Out to Sea" stars Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon - Hollywood's original odd couple - as well as Brent Spiner (of Star Trek: The Next Generation fame). This romantic comedy was primarily filmed aboard the Holland America ship Westerdam (known today at the Thomson Dream), although several scenes were also shot on the famous Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. It offers some fantastic views of the Westerdam as a whole, as well as the Observation Bar on the retired Cunarder.

"The Last Voyage"

Continuing onwards towards the Academy Awards, I present 1960's "The Last Voyage" starring Robert Stack, Dorothy Malone and George Sanders.

The French Line was horrified by this film because their former flagship, the Ile de France, played the SS Claridon. The old liner was blown up (albeit on a small scale) and partially sunk in the Sea of Japan.

"Titanic"

I've decided to post one trailer per day until the Academy Awards this coming Sunday. The subject of these films? Ships of course!

I could not think of a better way to launch this than with the arguably most famous of these movies - 1997's "Titanic" starring Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio. It ultimately won 11 Oscars and was the highest grossing picture of all time until 2010.