On The Waterfront (1954) - This crime-drama set on the waterfront of a busy port in New Jersey, Marlon Brando plays Terry Malloy, a down on his luck dockworker who was and ex-boxer. This film was Brando’s second collaboration with director Elia Kazan and was well received upon release. Brando’s famous line, "You don't understand! I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody instead of a bum, which is what I am” is ranked number three in the greatest movie lines of all time.
W.R. Hearst commanded all of his publications to neither condemn nor promote the film as a gesture towards the friendship between the Hearsts and the Welles families. Since Hearst had a near monopoly on U.S. publications in print across the states, it was perceived as a dud film by the public as they couldn't garner a review either way. Remember now, these were times when people relied on papers for their news and pennies were short. Too short to waste on a film with no review from their only news sources.
The film opened to mixed reviews and exclusive theaters anti-Hearst promotions. It still profited. It was only after W.R. Hearst and Howard Hughes' deaths that the film actually gained any notoriety. It's a good film for the history of its back story. Not for it's exclusive artistry.
Bridge Over The River Kwai. The Sound Of Music. The Best Years Of Our Lives. Stalag 17. The Exorcist. Doctor Zhivago. .... There are so many more that deserve to be on this threads list. Sadly, they're not.