Five favorite films from favorite books

High 5

Favorite films from favorite books

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, 1960, Movie 1962. The adventures, as recalled by Jean Louise, aka Scout, of three children in the Depression-era South contrasted with the trial of a black man accused of rape. Gregory Peck was born to play Atticus Finch. Robert Duvall's first major screen role, and not a single word of dialogue.

2. Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper, 1826. Movie 1992. Set during the brutal French and Indian War, the book tells of frontier life and the dwindling American Indian population. Brilliant casting of method actor Daniel Day-Lewis opposite Madeline Stowe and Wes Studi.

3. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1925. Movie 1974. Robert Redford's Gatsby is charming and reserved, Mia Farrow's Daisy is as Fitzgerald drew her -- spoiled and petulant. The film reflects the book's portrayal of 1920s corruption and the sadness in seeing souls sink into decay.

4. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg, 1987. Movie 1991. A plot of humor, lightweight drama and richly drawn characters makes it a good read, and spot-on casting of Mary-Louise Parker, Mary Stuart Masterson, Jessica Tandy, Kathy Bates and others makes an excellent film.

5. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, 1936. Movie 1939. This was one of my first "grown-up" books after a steady Nancy Drew diet. But I wasn't able to see the film until it was rereleased in the early 1970s. Casting is key, and the four principles -- Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard and Olivia deHavilland -- are the foundation of a story of coming-of-age for a young woman and a country.