Born Yesterday

This movie was a lovely surprise. Judy Holliday plays dim girlfriend to an "old-school" businessman who uses muscle over brains. Broderick Crawford plays her boyfriend and patron; he determines his girlfriend's lack of class and education is hurting his business prospects. He hires William Holden to educate her. Holliday and Holden form a beautiful friendship through their studies. The film is very funny and I am so glad I came across it. Holliday won an Oscar for her brilliant performance.

It's a Wonderful Life

Another Capra classic and possibly his most famous, It's a Wonderful Life is one of the most inspiring movies of all-time. This is one you will definitely want to keep watching every Christmas. But even if you don't celebrate Christmas, this is the ultimate feel-good movie. Jimmy Stewart plays George Bailey, a man who cannot seem to change his luck. Watch as he learns the value of a single life. You will not be disappointed!

High Society

If you like The Philadelphia Story, you will love this musical version of the story. Instead of Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Katharine Hepburn, you get Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Grace Kelly. These three form a wonderful trio which certainly lives up to the original film. Crosby and Sinatra's duet is simply beautiful. These are two of the greatest male voices of all-time, right here in one film. Make sure you see the original first, or you will not enjoy either picture nearly as much.

You Can't Take It With You

This is a lovely Frank Capra classic and an earlier Jimmy Stewart film. Stewart and Jean Arthur struggle to make their relationship work despite clashing families. Stewart comes from a wealthy family of business, and Arthur from a family headed up by a grandfather who values life and happiness more than money. It has all the elements of a typical Capra film and is therefore very uplifting and worth seeing.

Planet of the Apes

I of course am referring to the 1968 original version of the film. Planet of the Apes was one of the most surprising delights I have ever discovered. I had heard the film was hokey, mostly due to costuming, but I was completely blown away by this film. Charlton Heston lives up to his tough guy image. He lands on a strange planet sometime in the very distant future to find that the Apes are the intelligent beings performing experiments on humans. If you like Sci-fi at all, you will really enjoy this film. The score is also enchanting and Kim Hunter's performance, endearing.

A Streetcar Named Desire

While I actually prefer the play, this film portrayal of Tennessee Williams's classic is very powerful. Marlon Brando is hard to hate as the brooding, aggressive Stanley Kowalski. (In my opinion, he is one of the most attractive people to ever appear on screen; I almost find it hard to concentrate when he is in the shot.) Vivien Leigh gives an impressive performance, but Kim Hunter really steals the show as the wife and concerned sister. The film is oozing with subtext, typical of any Williams production. Definitely worth seeing for Brando and Hunter alone. Their chemistry is amazing.

Arsenic and Old Lace

In case readers have not already realized, I am a huge Cary Grant fan. This over-the-top physical comedy is hilarious. Grant discovers that his sweet old aunts are poisoning men and burying them in the cellar. This film makes use of all the classic comedy unities. It is simply delightful, although slightly frightening at times. Do not miss this silly, eerie comedy.

Labyrinth

If you are a David Bowie fan at all, you absolutely must see Labyrinth. It is definitely one of the best Jim Henson movies of all time. It's a little scary when you are a kid, but now it is just hilarious. It includes great music and funny 80s fashion. This is a childhood favorite that should not be missed.

That Touch of Mink

The Cary Grant/Doris Day combo is pretty fantastic in this comedy. Day and Grant want very different things from their casual relationship, making for some very interesting consequences. That Touch of Mink follows a typical Day film plot, but the combination of her and Grant is of course too enticing to pass up.

Empire Records

This is obviously a much more recent classic, but a classic nonetheless. This film is the story of a group of misfits working in a record shop that is potentially going under. Their combined efforts to save Empire Records are the basis of a funny and quirky look at what it's like to be a teenager.

It Happened One Night

This Clark Gable classic is hilarious. It's a sweet early romantic comedy. Gable discovers a young woman running away from her problems. At first, the two do not get along well, but soon they develop witty banter as their journey of mishaps continues. Gable fans will definitely appreciate this critically acclaimed comedy.

The Graduate

This film is pure art. While the plot is very racy for its time, the music and the cinematography are perfect. The Graduate is the story of a young college graduate (played by Dustin Hoffman) who gets involved with the infamous Mrs. Robinson. The affair gets complicated when Hoffman falls in love with his lover's daughter. You will definitely be a Simon and Garfunkel fan after seeing this film.

A Night at the Opera

This is one of many Marx brothers comedies. This film is one that people of my generation often cannot appreciate. The editing is not as advanced and the humor is purely slapstick and double entendres. I think that it's important for young people to see these types of early examples of comedy in film. The Marx brothers are pioneers in this genre.

Pillow Talk

Doris Day and Rock Hudson share a phone line in this comedy of mix-ups. Day is annoyed with her party line since Hudson is always on the phone and she is never able to make a call. Hudson is tired of being harassed by Day and decides to teach her a lesson. This movie is very sweet and funny and is definitely the best of the Day/Hudson pictures.