My Favorite Movies

I have a long and varied list of my favorite movies. When I review it, if offers me some surprises.  But I will share this list with you, and the why and wherefores.

Guys and Dolls http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0048140/ . This was the senior play for my high school senior class. I was not involved in the production of the play, but I bonded to move and the play, and have, ever since. 

White Christmas http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0047673/ Of course, I love this movie. It is a classic.  As much as I love White Christmas,  I love the movie Holiday Inn http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_Inn_(film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034862/ even more.  This is the movie that debuted the song, "White Christmas."  It is a wonderful story and a fun film to watch.

Another musical I have to mention is Fiddler on the Roof http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067093/.  My best friend from college, our freshman year, introduced me to this musical.  Not only is the musical great, but it always reminds me of our friendship, which has endured over the years, and is a real treasure to me.

Okay, so while I am writing about musicals, I have to name all the ones I love:  The Sound of Music, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/;  West Side Story,http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0055614/ and http://www.westsidestory.com/;   South Pacific http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0052225/ and My Fair Lady  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058385/.  I have to mention that not only do I like West Side Story and South Pacific for the music, but for the social commentary they present.  And, the reality is, the message is not outdated, even today, although the groups change.

For more years than I want to claim, I have identified myself with Bunny Watson, the Katharine Hepburn character in the movie The Desk Set http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050307/. As the years have passed, the computer vs. person issues have remained the same, which gives the movie its timelessness.  Also the stalemated romance that gets jarred by a new character is a classic theme.

Speaking of Katharine Hepburn, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061735/ is another favorite.  And of course, in both The Desk Set and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner Spencer Tracy is the other star. 

Another star of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, of course, is Sidney Poitier.  He has two other movies that are favorites of mine:  Lilies of the Field http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057251/ and To Sir With Love http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062376/.


I must of loved John Wayne even when I was very young. I remember wanting to go to the movie theater to see The Alamo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Alamo_(1960_film) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053580/.  And, I remember my brother warning me that John Wayne gets killed in the movie.  I said that was okay.  It really was not, but we went to see the movie, anyway.  I do not think I have ever watched The Alamo again.

It surprises me how many John Wayne movies are on my favorites list. And, yet, The Alamo is the only western, and it really is not on my favorites list. 

I really like the movie The Hellfighters http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063060/. Before I moved to Texas, I do not know if I knew who Red Adair was, except because of the movie.  But, in this part of the world, the oil field characters are known. 

Two other John Wayne movies I really like are Donavan's Reef http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057007/ and In Harm's Way http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059309/.  The latter is not only a John Wayne movie, but an Otto Preminger movie.  Hmmm.

The last of the movies that include John Wayne, and that is on my list is The Longest Day. http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8675958481662196827#editor/target=post;postID=8894037072001502841The story is about D-Day.  I do not know if I would call it a John Wayne movie per se, because his story is only one part of the movie.  And, look at the cast.  It is a veritable who's who of Hollywood.

Okay, I mentioned Otto Preminger.  If you read my blog, you read my entry about The Moon is Blue http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046094/fullcredits#cast., also an Otto Preminger movie.

The last movie on this list is The American President http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112346/.  I learned about this movie when I was in a fun relationship, and it is a fun movie.  I also think it is interesting that some of the cast (Martin Sheen, Anna Deveare Smith) of this movie ended up in The West Wing http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0200276/.  I am a West Wing junkie. 

I can not end a piece about favorite movies without saying that I love the Busby Berkeley production numbers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIO9y1xMPIA.  This was not done with trick photography.  What a genius!