Intolerance is the three-hour silent epic from D.W. Griffith, which some argue was his penance for making the far more famous (and far more blatantly racist) The Birth of A Nation.  

The Curse of The Cat People is an absolutely fascinating film. Ostensibly a horror flick (and sequel to the likewise magnificent Cat People), this movie is really a heartfelt drama about a lonely girl with an imaginary friend that turns out to not be so imaginary – and maybe not so friendly either. Directed by Robert Wise, though it fits more comfortably in the oeuvre of producer, Val Lewton. 

When director Martin Scorsese (fresh off Mean Streets, but before Taxi Driver) met Ellen Burstyn (fresh off The Exorcist), she asked him “What do you know about women?”. He replied “Not much, but I’d like to learn.” Marty must’ve been a quick study, because under his direction Burstyn won an Oscar in Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.