My 10 Recommended Feel-Good Classic Films
What better way to free your mind from the current dramatic coronavirus situation than to watch a classic film! But let's forget about the dramas, melodramas, thrillers, noirs. We need some comedy in our lives or a feel-good/comfort movie to lift our spirits. So this month I'm only watching uplifting films (I saw The Glass Bottom Boat for the first time yesterday and had a great time with it) and I thought it would be nice to make a list of my recommendations. I'm aware that for the seasoned classic film fan there will be few surprises on this list. You'll probably have seen them all and multiple times at that. But if you're new to classic film, then I'm sure you'll find something on this list to your liking. I tried to cover different genres and decades. Noteworthy is that films from the 1930s (some feature on this list) were released during the Great Depression and back then comedies and musicals also provided a much-needed escape from difficult times.
Note that this list is in random order of preference.
Note that this list is in random order of preference.
1. SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952)
“What's wrong with the way I talk? What's the big idea? Am I dumb or something?”
Musical is the first genre that comes to mind (well, my mind anyway) when I'm talking about something uplifting. Apart from dramatic musicals like A Star is Born and West Side Story most Hollywood musicals are fun. And you won't find anything more fun than the famous Singin' in the Rain, set in the waning days of the silent film era. Basically this musical has got it all. Entertaining story, catchy songs, wonderful dancing, engaging performances and appealing characters. And a lot of humour to boot. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor and Jean Hagen are all memorable in their roles. So if you've never seen this, now is a good time to start.
2. THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938)
Lady Marian: “Why, you speak treason!”
Robin Hood: “Fluently.”
This feel-good movie is one of my all-time favourites, it's really like comfort food. Errol Flynn is perfect as Robin Hood, even though he looks a bit foolish in his forest outfit with the tights. Olivia de Havilland is lovely as Lady Marian and makes a great couple with Flynn, with whom she would make a total of 9 films. One of the strengths of this adventure film is the great supporting cast. I love the endearing characters (Eugene Pallette as Friar Tuck, Alan Hale as Little John, Una O'Connor as Bess and Herbert Mundin as Much) and the funny recruiting scenes. Complementing the cast are Basil Rathbone as Gisbourne and Claude Rains as Prince John, both great in their villainous roles. With an exciting finale (the sword duel between Flynn and Rathbone), a cheerful score by Erich Wolfgang Korngold and beautiful Technicolor, this is the Flynn film I've seen the most and I'll never get tired of it.
3. RIO BRAVO (1959)
Feathers: “In case you make up your mind, I left my door open. Get a good night's sleep.”
John T. Chance: “You're not helping me any.”
This is my Favourite Perfect Western. Such great characters (with great names: Chance, Dude, Feathers, Colorado, Stumpy), a memorable score, beautiful Angie Dickinson (especially in the yellow blouse), Dean Martin in an amazing performance, John Wayne in a very likeable role, Walter Brennan providing comic relief and never overdoing it. What makes this western directed by Howard Hawks great is the warm friendship between the men, as well as the tender relationship between Wayne and Dickinson. You don't feel that this film is 141 minutes long because time flies by when you're having fun. Ultimate feel-good moment: Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson singing My Rifle, My Pony and Me.
4. MAN'S FAVORITE SPORT (1964)
“Did you take a special course in blackmail, or is it just a natural talent?”
Another Howard Hawks film, one of his more underrated ones and one that I have loved ever since I saw it for the first time a long time ago. This is the story about an author of a fishing guide (Rock Hudson) who doesn't have any experience in the field himself. When he is entered in a fishing competition for publicity reasons, obviously his lack of experience poses a problem. Enter Paula Prentiss (who is deliciously kooky and I can imagine for some viewers annoying but I love her) to teach Rock how to fish. She's aided by Maria Perschy and it's really funny to see how the two women torment Rock and have their way with him. He's pretty helpless. The scene where they put his arm in a cast is hilarious. When it comes to funny scenes, the bear on a motorcycle also comes to mind and Rock fishing in the yellow inflatable pants. I can remember watching this film many many years ago with my then little nephew — he turns 20 in October — and he was really fascinated with Rock's arm in a cast and with his fishing's scenes. He was too young to understand the film but the visual gags are wonderfully put on screen. This film proves again how good Rock is at comedy. And he is the most handsome nerd ever. Also great asset: Henry Mancini's score and wonderful theme song.
5. THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965)
“When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”
This is one of my favourite feel-good musicals but I don't think this needs a lot of introduction. It's one of the most famous musicals around and many people know the songs or one of them, Do-Re-Mi being the most widely known. Julie Andrews is unforgettable in the role of a tomboyish prospective nun at an Austrian abbey who becomes the governess in the home of Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), a widow with seven children. That opening scene with Andrews in the Austrian hills, with the music swelling, is probably one of the most recognisable opening scenes in film history and I love it so much. I have seen this many times already, it's a childhood favourite of mine, and fortunately I haven't outgrown it. For sure there are flaws but overall it's just a lot of fun. Just sing along with My Favorite Things or yodel along with The Lonely Goatherd and tell me you don't feel better already.
6. THE COURTSHIP OF EDDIE'S FATHER (1963)
“Why, there's women who would marry you this very minute for the equipment you have in this apartment.” — Mrs. Livingston
Apparently there's a TV-series of the same title which I'm not familiar with. But it's based on this film, directed by Vincente Minnelli, starring Glenn Ford as the widowed father, Ronny Howard as the six-year-old son and Shirley Jones as their neighbour. The story is simple: Eddie wants his father to get remarried to their lovely neighbour but dad is dating other women. It's all pretty straightforward but also very charming and endearing and Ronny Howard is really great as Eddie. The scene where he's in shock after discovering the dead fish is unbelievably well acted. I love the talks between father and son, and Howard has also fine interplay with Jones. It's a comedy but it also has some great dramatic scenes and Ford playing on the verge of collapse does a good job. In terms of perfect endings, this film has got it. Red-haired Ronny Howard in his green jumper, standing in the hallway, brimming with joy, is the cutest thing ever.
7. BALL OF FIRE (1941)
Sugarpuss O'Shea: “Richard ill. Who's Richard ill?”
Professor Bertram Potts: “Richard the Third.”
My third Howard Hawks film on this list, a great screwball comedy starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper. I love both actors and this is one of my fave screwball comedies of all time. Stanwyck plays a nightclub singer with the great name of Sugarpuss O'Shea, escaping the cops and hiding in the house of a group of professors. The academics — with Cooper being the only young one among them — work on an encyclopedia of slang that needs to be updated with modern words and Stanwyck can be helpful with her streetwise knowledge. Coop is awkward and bumbling and succumbs easily to Stanwyck's flirtations. At times you'd wish he wasn't so silly but it works well in this film. In any case Sugarpuss isn't immune to his clumsiness. ("Yes, I love him. I love those hick shirts he wears with the boiled cuffs and the way he always has his vest buttoned wrong. Looks like a giraffe, and I love him. I love him because he's the kind of a guy that gets drunk on a glass of buttermilk, and I love the way he blushes right up over his ears. Love him because he doesn't know how to kiss, the jerk!") Some great character actors, among others Henry Travers, S.Z. Sakall, Richard Haydn and Oskar Homolka, play the other eccentric professors (the Seven Dwarves). They are totally endearing and sweet and add a feel-good quality to this film. Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder are responsible for the great screenplay.
8. IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT (1934)
“I'll stop a car, and I won't use my thumb!”
I think if I would have to name my number one favourite screwball comedy, this would be it. It was the first one I ever saw and it doesn't matter how many rewatches there have been ever since, it stays fresh and I love it every time. The story goes that the film was shot in only four weeks and both Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert were reluctant to make it. Gable's grumpiness in the film may have stemmed from his frustration. Whatever the circumstances in which this film was made and no matter how the stars felt about working with each other, their on-screen chemistry is wonderful and they've made this simple story of a spoilt heiress escaping a forced marriage and finding herself on a road trip with a down-on-his-luck reporter unforgettable. So many memorable scenes make this required viewing: the scenes on the bus, the famous hitchhike scene, the walls of Jericho, the donut dunking during breakfast, the hilarious "Quit bawling!" scene. One of the few films to win thé 5 Oscars for the most important categories, this Frank Capra comedy is a gem from start to finish.
9. SWING TIME (1936)
“Listen. No one could teach you to dance in a million years. Take my advice and save your money!”
No list of comfort movies would be complete without a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film. I've seen all of their 10 films (9 were made with RKO from 1933 to 1939, and 1 film was made with MGM, The Barkleys of Broadway in 1949, their only film in colour). Except for the more dramatic The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle all of their musicals are pure fun but Swing Time is probably my favourite. I like the romance in this film and how the lead characters are called Lucky and Penny. Comic support doesn't get any better than from the likes of Eric Blore, Victor Moore and Helen Broderick. There are some wonderful dances here (Waltz in Swing Time and Pick Yourself Up) but my favourite musical numbers are the ones where no dancing is involved: The Way You Look Tonight with Fred singing at the piano and Ginger having her hair full of shampoo, and A Fine Romance in the snow.
10. THE AWFUL TRUTH (1937)
“I wouldn't go on living with you if you were dipped in platinum. So go on, divorce me. Go on, divorce me! It'll be a pleasure.”
Last on the list is this wonderful screwball comedy — also one of my faves — directed by Leo McCarey, starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne. Separately the actors are great at playing comedy — their timing is spot on — but putting their talents together you get something magical and they have amazing chemistry (they made three films together). The story is simple again: a married couple who suspect each other of infidelity agree to a divorce and then spend the rest of the film trying to make the other jealous. There's also poor Ralph Bellamy in a His Girl of Friday type of role as the rebound guy. So many great scenes, e.g. the one where Grant falls off his chair while Dunne is singing (a slapstick moment ensues), the hilarious one where Dunne imposes as Grant's sister, Bellamy and Dunne dancing, Bellamy and Dunne singing Home on the Range ... And let's not forget all scenes with Skippy the dog who is called Mr. Smith here and is best known as Asta from The Thin Man series. This film really makes me laugh and happy.
That's it for now. I might do a follow-up because I enjoyed doing this post and 10 films are hardly enough. I hope you enjoy watching these films. Stay healthy and safe!
GIFS IN THIS POST FROM TOP TO BOTTOM:
*Singin' In the Rain (1952) with Jean Hagen, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Millard Mitchell;
*The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) with Olivia de Havilland, Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone and Claude Rains;
*Rio Bravo (1959) with John Wayne and Angie Dickinson;
*Man's Favorite Sport (1964) with Rock Hudson, Paula Prentiss and Maria Perschy;
*The Sound of Music (1965) with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer;
*The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) with Glenn Ford and Ronny Howard;
*Ball of Fire (1941) with Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper, Henry Travers, S.Z. Sakall and Richard Haydn;
*It Happened One Night (1934) with Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable;
*Swing Time (1936) with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire;
*The Awful Truth (1937) with Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy and Skippy.
*Rio Bravo (1959) with John Wayne and Angie Dickinson;
*Man's Favorite Sport (1964) with Rock Hudson, Paula Prentiss and Maria Perschy;
*The Sound of Music (1965) with Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer;
*The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) with Glenn Ford and Ronny Howard;
*Ball of Fire (1941) with Barbara Stanwyck, Gary Cooper, Henry Travers, S.Z. Sakall and Richard Haydn;
*It Happened One Night (1934) with Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable;
*Swing Time (1936) with Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire;
*The Awful Truth (1937) with Cary Grant, Irene Dunne, Ralph Bellamy and Skippy.
ALL GIFS MADE BY YOURS TRULY!