There's some truth in the cliché statement, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression." In movie making, a great entrance won't guarantee an exceptional film, but it can assure an unforgettable impact.
Ten astonishing hellos:
John Wayne: The Ringo Kid/Stagecoach
A stagecoach moving along a desolate terrain stops after hearing a gunshot. The camera zooms in on the shooter standing nearby, it is young John Wayne, rugged and impossibly handsome.
Grace Kelly: Lisa Fremont/Rear Window
The willowy and chic Kelly leans down in slow motion to kiss the dozing James Stewart.
Groucho Marx: Otis Driftwood/Night at the Opera
An elegant matron sits alone at a busy restaurant and asks the waiter to page her date who has kept her waiting over an hour. As it happens, her date (played by Groucho) is seated at the table behind her, laughing and dining with a much younger, fairer companion.
Peter Lorre: Hans Beckert/ M.
A little girl bounces her ball on a signpost. She doesn't notice the banner posted is a warning to the neighborhood of a child killer in the area and a reward offered for his capture. The shadow profile of a man moves across the the banner, a voice is heard, "That's a beautiful ball you have." The child looks up at at Lorre, who appears both sinister and desperate.
Lana Turner: Cora/The Postman Always Rings Twice
A lipstick case drops and rolls across the floor of a diner where a seated customer looks over to see the shapely legs, then the scantily clad figure of the platinum-blonde Turner.
Sean Connery: James Bond/Dr. No
The scene opens at a card table in a crowded casino. An attractive woman says, "I admire your luck Mr..." which Connery answers in the coolest, oft quoted way, "Bond. James Bond."
Zombie/The Night of the Living Dead
Adult siblings Johnny and Barbara bicker at a cemetery. In the background, a lone figure walks steadily towards them. Something isn't right about his gait, and he is soon revealed to be a ravenous, undead corpse.
The Alien/Alien
Crew members of the Nostromo dine casually after an altercation regarding safety and quarantine protocol. Crew member Kane suddenly experiences a seizure and begins convulsing violently which culminates with a lizard-like creature bursting out of his chest.
Jeff Bridges: Jeff (the Dude) Lebowski/The Big Lebowski
Who hasn't been a little bleary eyed in an overly bright supermarket? Bridges is a vision as he shuffles around in his t-shirt and pajama pants through the fluorescent light filled dairy section of Ralphs.
Omar Sharif: Sheik Sherif Ali/Lawrence of Arabia
Seen first as a black speck in the mirage inducing heat waves of a a scorching desert, when the black robed figure finally meets up with Lawrence he states, "This is my well."
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