Monty's Top 5 Favorite Classic Romantic Films

Here's my ode to Valentine's Day and my 5 favorite classic romantic films. Me and Dawn agreed on both doing lists ranking our favorite romantic films. So here I go.

5.) CAMILLE (1936) No doubt a star vehicle for Greta Garbo who works her magic as the doomed Parisian courtesan who loves the young Duval (played by Robert Taylor) but leaves him at the bequest of Duval's father. Later she is stricken with illness and Duval comes back. Tragic tear-jerker that benefits from the great performance of Garbo. Pure excellence.

4.)  FROM HERE TO ETERNITY (1953) While this story takes place during Pearl Harbor, there is plenty of romance to go around. From Deborah Kerr's wife who strays from her loveless marriage into a torrid affair with Burt Lancaster to Mongtomery Clift's relentless pursuit of Donna Reed. A great romantic film that just happens to be set during one of the biggest attacks of American military by enemy forces.

3.) BRINGING UP BABY (1938) Manic screwball farce which also features one of the best love/hate relationships ever between a stuffy Cary Grant and a screwy Katherine Hepburn. Sometimes over the top but always fun and interesting. Great chemistry between Cary and Kate.

2.) THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946) Returning soldiers fromWorld War Two face all kinds of problems when returning home. Which includes romantic troubles. While the main story focuses on Fredric March adjusting to his life and family which includes wife Myrna Loy and daughter Teresa Wright, there are several more romantic subplots going on. Including Dana Andrews and his unfaithful wife (Virginia Mayo). Teresa Wright falls in love with him and does her best efforts to be with him. And the most touching plot of this movie has to be real life veteran Harold J. Russell who lost both his hands during the war, and his re-connection with his girlfriend (Cathy O'Donnell). Excellent film-making.

1.) WATERLOO BRIDGE (1940) Heart-breaking movie with Vivien Leigh's best performance ever. Yes even better than Gone With The Wind. In my opinion that is. Her tragic romance with a British officer stationed in England before the start of World War Two is one of the most unbelievably romantic and touching and tragic films I've seen. I personally rank it this high and deserves to be in same group of other classic films such as Dark Victory and Now Voyager.

So those are my top 5 favorite romantic films. Would love to hear what everyone else favorites are.

Great On Screen Couples: Jane Wyman & Jack Carson

For my next couple I chose a couple not too many people may realize how good they really were in the five films they made together. I'm speaking of Jane Wyman and Jack Carson. They co-starred in 5 films plus one more where Jane made a cameo as herself. They usually played either a married couple or boyfriend and girlfriend and always had the most engaging banter. Their first film together was 1942's Larceny, Inc which they were the supporting players to Edward G. Robinson. But they played boyfriend and girlfriend. I have yet to see this film so I can't really comment on it.

Now for their next film, Princess O'Rourke (1943), they did get to play a married couple. But once again they were secondary characters to stars Olivia de Havilland and Robert Cummings. But their chemistry was undeniable and they played well off one another. 

They would hit their stride with 1944's Make Your Own Bed and this time they were the leading stars. Jack would play a struggling detective looking to crack the big case so he could marry his long suffering girlfriend. Shades of Thin Man make this a memorable screwball comedy. The pair would team up again later on in the year for the extremely funny The Doughgirls which had them playing another married couple dealing with the wartime housing shortage in Washington, D.C and scads of colorful characters including Ann Sheridan, Alexis Smith, Eve Arden, and Charlie Ruggles. By now Jack and Jane were operating like a well oiled machine as The Doughgirls remain their best film that I've seen of them yet.

In  fact, the producers of The Doughgirls must have thought so because they pretty much reunited the entire cast for 1946's comedy/drama One More Tomorrow, starring Jane, Jack, Ann Sheridan and Alexis Smith once again. Dennis Morgan was the newcomer who joined in on the fun. I haven't seen this film as of yet either.

Then Jack Carson and Dennis Morgan would make the surreal comedy It's A Great Feeling trying to make a star out of Doris Day. This is the film where loads of Hollywood stars show up in cameos as themselves and Jane shows up early for her brief appearance. Jack would later appear on Jane's TV show, Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre in the mid 50's but as far as movies go, It's A Great Feeling would their last team up together. So while everyone may know the big couples like Bogie/Bacall, Tracy/Hepburn, and Gable/Harlow, do not miss out an underrated pair like Jane Wyman and Jack Carson. They truly deserve to be talked about and remembered just like the other couples.

Great On Screen Couples: William Powell & Myrna Loy

This wonderful couple made an astounding 14 films together, making them one of Hollywood's most prolific couples. They first paired up in 1934's Manhattan Melodrama, alongside Clark Gable. Their scenes together showed natural born chemistry and MGM quickly paired them up for the classic film The Thin Man. Their witty banter as fun loving couple Nick and Nora Charles was such a huge hit, they made 5 more sequels over the next 13 years. And it's one of the most beloved film series of all time. You see them progress from recently married to Nora giving birth to Nick Jr to meeting Nick's family and so on. And you cared about them through-out the entire series.

In between The Thin Man films, Powell and Loy would make several other films including Best Picture winner of 1936 The Great Ziegeld, Evelyn Prentice, Love Crazy, Double Wedding and the classic screwball farce Libeled Lady, co-starring Spencer Tracy and Jean Harlow. For their last film together, Loy turned up in a cameo as Powell's wife in the final scene of The Senator Was Indiscreet (1947). For her one day of work, Loy received a brand new cadillac and the final screen pairing of her and Powell was done.

Powell and Loy made 13 of their 14 films for MGM and one for Universal. Their 13 films at MGM are a record a screen team making major studio pictures. And they set the standard for fun loving married couples that would grace the big and small screens for years to come. Powell himself tried different variations of Nick Charles with other actresses such as Ginger Rogers in Star Of Midnight (1935) and Jean Arthur in The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936). And while those are two good films with solid leading women, they are no Thin Man and no Myrna Loy. It just shows that the chemistry Powell and Loy had together was amazing. And it's no slam toward Rogers or Arthur. I mean Ginger and Fred would dance circles around Powell and Loy in a musical because that was their strength. And Jean was positively sensational when paired with Jimmy Stewart. Anyway, I would rank Powell and Loy as my 2nd favorite screen couple of all time, right behind Irene Dunne and Cary Grant. Good company to be in.

Great On Screen Couples: Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland

This legendary couple appeared in 8 films together from 1935 to 1941, all for Warner Bros. They made a varied mix of swashbucklers, westerns, comedy, and period films. Their first pairing came in the rousing Captain Blood (1935), which was Flynn's first starring role, making him an overnight sensation. Olivia had already appeared in three films prior to Captain Blood. I've seen this film twice and it's a beaut. Terrific action sequences and the undeniable chemistry of Flynn and de Havilland on full display. Olivia beat out Jean Arthur and Bette Davis for the role of Arabella Bishop and the rest is history. Blood was so successful Warner Bros quickly paired the duo up the next year for The Charge Of The Light Brigade.

Set in 1854 India, the film had Flynn cast as a British officer fighting the Russians in The Crimean War. Olivia plays Flynn's fiancee. I have yet to see this film so I can't critique on it. But it sounds interesting. For their next film together would be their masterpiece, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938). Everyone knows the legend of Hood and Flynn was positively electric as the dashing archer. Olivia was equally as good as Maid Marian. Everything came together for this entertaining film. To this day, I still say this is the most vibrant and gorgeous looking film ever made. And one of the best music scores in history.

Screwball comedy was in it's heyday during this time and Warner Bros decided to pair up Errol and Olivia for one called Four's A Crowd (1938). This is another of the duo's films that I have yet to see and since screwball comedy is my favorite genre, I am hankering to see it.

I did see their next film though, the terrific western Dodge City (1939). And let me tell ya something, Errol looks just as comfortable firing six shooters like he does shooting a bow and arrow or swordplay. Dodge City is one of the best westerns ever made and solidified Flynn and de Havilland as one of the premiere on screen couples in film.

They switched gears for their next film, with the historial drama The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex. And while this is not solely a Flynn and De Havilland production because of Bette Davis top billed role, this film showed that Errol and Olivia could make just about any type of film.

When Santa Fe Trail (1940) debuted, it marked the pair's seventh outing and it was another huge success. While it was a very entertaining western, I liked Dodge City more. Santa Fe did have an outstanding supporting cast of newcomers such as Ronald Reagan and Van Heflin.

  And lastly, for their final film together, came 1941's They Died With Their Boots On, an film based on General George Custer and his infamous last stand. Another western and another solid hit. At this point, Olivia's star was rising and she wanted more starring roles, so the pair parted ways after a successful 8 film run. They firmly established themselves as the ideal romantic leads of Hollywood period adventures. No doubt. And while Olivia went on to have a successful career post Flynn, he was not as fortunate. Still but before his career ended, he did turn in two top notch performances in The Sun Also Rises (1957) and Too Much, Too Soon (1958). But we will always have those 8 wonderful films he and Olivia did. Nothing can ever change that.

Great On Screen Couples: Bob Hope & Paulette Goddard

"Old Ski Nose" Bob Hope has starred with many of Hollywood's most fetching beauties in his hilarious comedies: Dorothy Lamour, Virgina Mayo, Lucille Ball, Hedy Lamarr, Jane Russell and Paulette Goddard. I personally think Paulette was his best on screen partner, no offense Bing. But Bob and Paulette did have wonderful chemistry. They made three films together: The Cat and The Canary (1939), The Ghost Breakers (1940) and Nothing But The Truth (1941). All three are very funny and showcase Bob and Paulette at their best. Their first film together The Cat and the Canary, which is a remake of the 1927 film of the same name. The plot has relatives gathering in New Orleans for the reading of a will and the setting is a creepy old mansion. Paulette plays Joyce, the heir who will inherit everything if she survives the night. Hope is Wally, a radio personality,who becomes involved with Joyce. There are thrills amid the laughs and it's a very good comedy but not the best of the three Hope and Goddard made together.

They would come back one year later for the much better The Ghost Breakers. This film pretty much has the same plot as The Cat and The Canary in that Bob plays another radio personality and him and Paulette must survive a night in another haunted mansion. But the laughs come much faster in this one. And the duo's chemistry is perfect as Bob has the scaredy guy down straight and Paulette is quite the beguiling leading lady. All that adds up to a wonderfully funny film.

However the two stars saved their best for last with the truly zany 1941 comedy Nothing But The Truth. In this one Bob plays stockbroker Steve Bennett who makes a bet with his co-workers that he can tell the truth for 24 hours. Paulette is the boss's niece who wants Steve to invest some money for her. The whole cast winds up on a yacht for a dinner party and it's a gas seeing Hope tap dance around the truth for a solid hour. Hope has never been better and Goddard ratchets up her game as well as she gets in on the fun too. I think it was a great move by placing the duo in a modern setting and not dealing with haunted mansions, zombies and murder. This made it seem like a breath of fresh air seeing the stars in this type of setting. It's too bad they didn't make anymore films together.

Great On Screen Couples: Irene Dunne and Cary Grant

You know Cary Grant is my favorite actor of all time and he has paired with some of the most legendary actresses of all time. And they all usually have great chemistry with the debonair chap. But for me, his best on screen partner has to be Irene Dunne. They made three films together, 2 screwball comedies and 1 drama. The first film they made together was 1937's wonderfully wicked comedy, The Awful Truth which cast the twosome as a married couple going through a divorce. This is one of the earliest of the screwball comedies and while it  may be rough around the edges in some scenes, it's one of the funniest films I have ever seen. And Grant and Dunne are perfect together in their first outing. Their constant plans to sabotage each other's chances at remarriage will have you gasping and laughing the whole time. And check out Irene's wonderfully screwy performance. I believe the great Katherine Hepburn must have saw this film and had to base her performance in Bringing Up Baby on Irene's terrific role of Lucy Warriner. Or is it just me?

Cary and Irene worked so well in The Awful Truth, they had to be paired up for another wonderful screwball comedy in 1940's My Favorite Wife, which I enjoyed even more than I did The Awful Truth. Once again the two play a married couple, with a slight difference. After being lost at sea for 7 years and declared dead Ellen Arden (Irene) returns home to find her husband Nick (Cary) remarried to Bianca (the wonderfully underrated Gail Patrick). So Nick has a huge problem to deal with. Who to choose: Ellen or Bianca? Once again Irene Dunne steals the show but her chemistry with Cary is also once again perfect. Their comic timing by now is a match made in heaven.

For their third and final film together, Irene and Cary made the tearjerker/comedy Penny Serenade (1941) which gave the twosome an opportunity to flex their dramatic muscles as a couple who faces one crisis after another once they get married after a short courtship. There is some humor in this film to keep things from getting too dark and depressing and Cary gets to give one of his best screen performances ever. His scene with the judge arguing to keep his adopted daughter in his care is heartbreaking and touching. Serenade was the last film Irene and Cary would do together and they go out with another great film. I know Cary had several other wonderful screen pairings beside Irene like with Myrna Loy, Grace Kelly, and Deborah Kerr. But for me, it's his pairings with Irene that were the best of his team ups. And I would say the same for Irene as she never had a better partner than Cary Grant.

Happy 81st Birthday Gene Hackman

Happy 81st Birthday to veteran actor Gene Hackman. Starred in such classic films like Bonnie & Clyde (1967), I Never Sang For My Father (1970), The French Connection (1971, for which he won Best actor Oscar), The Poseidon Adventure (1972), The Conversation (1974), Night Moves (1975), A Bridge Too Far (1977), Superman (1978), Hoosiers (1986), Mississippi Burning (1988), Unforgiven (1992, Best Supporting Actor Oscar), Crimson Tide (1995), and Enemy of the State (1998).

Happy 74th Birthday Vanessa Redgrave

Happy Birthday to Vanessa Redgrave, who turns 74 today. Part of the distinguished Redgrave family, Vanessa's notable films include A Man For All Seasons (1966), Camelot (1967), Isadora (1968), Julia (1977), Howards End (1992), Mission Impossible (1996), and most recently Atonement (2007).

Happy Birthday Donna Reed (1921 - 1986)

Happy Birthday to Donna Reed, one of my favorite actresses. She appeared is such classics as It's A Wonderful Life, From Here To Eternity, The Courtship Of Andy Hardy, They Were Expendable and lots more. And of course she was the star in her famous long running comedy series, The Donna Reed Show. Happy Birthday Donna!

RIP Susannah York (1939 - 2011)

Susannah York, the British actress whose gamine looks and demure persona made her an icon of the swinging 60s, has died at the age of 72. She passed away Saturday following a long battle with bone marrow cancer.

York won acclaim for her roles in They Shoot Horses, Don't They? – the 1969 film role for which she was nominated for an Oscar and Golden Globe – as well as A Man For All Seasons in 1966 and as the feisty section officer who took on Kenneth More in the stirring second world war epic Battle of Britain in 1969.

She also had an extensive and critically acclaimed stage career, which included roles in The Singular Life of Albert Nobbs and Henry James's play Appearances, and continued to act late into her life. She was also a children's author, penning two fantasy novels.

Other notable film roles include Tom Jones (1963), The Killing of Sister George (1968), Happy Birthday Wanda June (1971), The Maids (1974), and Superman (1978) as Kal-El's birth mother Lara.

RIP Anne Francis (1930 - 2011)

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) -- Anne Francis, the actress who appeared in the 1956 sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet and later starred as a sexy detective in the TV series Honey West, died Sunday from complications of pancreatic cancer, according to The Los Angeles Times. She was 80. A family spokeswomen told The Los Angeles Times that Francis, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007, died at a retirement home in Santa Barbara, California. Francis’ career also included roles in films such as Blackboard Jungle, Bad Day at Black Rock, Funny Girl and Battle Cry. According to IMDB.com, the actress’s last acting role was a 2004 appearance in the CBS series Without a Trace.

But it was Forbidden Planet and her role as the daughter of a scientist on a planet inhabited by an alien monster that brought Francis fame in Hollywood. The movie co-starred Walter Pidegon, as well as Leslie Nielsen, who died on Nov. 28, 2010. Francis also broke ground with the TV series Honey West. Though it only ran one season, from 1965-1966, it was one of the first TV series to star a woman in an action role.

According to IMDB.com, Francis was married and divorced twice. She leaves behind two daughters.

Joan Allen "Looks Like" Yvette Mimieux

 (1942 - present) American actress best known for playing Weena in the sci-fi classic The Time Machine (1960). Other films include Where The Boys Are (1960), Toys in the Attic (1963), Jackson County Jail (1976) and The Black Hole (1980)

(1956 - present) American actress that started out on stage before doing films. Most known films include The Bourne films, Pleasantville (1998), Face/Off (1997), The Ice Storm (1997), and The Upside of Anger (2005).

Photos of the Wonderful Barbara Stanwyck

Just wanted to post some photos of Babs, since she is my classic movie goddess of the month, and me and Dawn decided to cross her over into our shared blogs.

the glamour shot

with her son Dion

Christmas In Connecticut

looking all chic

a young and beautiful Barbara

Happy Birthday Agnes Moorehead (1900 - 1974)

Happy birthday to film and TV actress Agnes Moorehead. Mostly known for playing Elizabeth Montgomery's mom on the TV classic series Bewitched, Agnes was also a notable film actress. She appeared in such films as Citizen Kane, The Magnificient Ambersons, All That Heaven Allows, Caged, and Hush..Hush Sweet Charlotte.

Monty's Top Ten Christmas Movies List

Me and Dawn agreed we would both do a favorite Christmas movies list and post them here on Noir and Chick Flicks. I see Dawn already has done hers, so here's mine. You will note that me and her share 5 of the same movies as me and Dawn seem to have similar tastes. In addition on my list, there are a few modern movies that make my list and one animated film from Disney. So with the help of Vera-Ellen, here's my top 10 Christmas movies. Merry Christmas to everyone!

10. REMEMBER THE NIGHT (1940) The first of two Barbara Stanwyck films that made the list. Babs plays Lee Leander, a shoplifter, who gets arrested for trying to shoplift a bracelet. ADA John Sargeant (Fred MacMurray) is assigned to prosecute her. The trial begins just before Christmas, but rather than face a jury filled with the holiday spirit, he has the trial postponed. However, he generously posts her bail so she does not have to spend Christmas in jail. And so begins a wonderful holiday film as the two wind up spending time with his family and falling in love. One of the best of the classic romantic dramas that happens to be set during the holidays. Stanwyck and MacMurray have wonderful chemistry together. Remember the Night is a regular favorite that is played on TCM every December.

9. BACHELOR MOTHER (1939) Polly Parrish (Ginger Rogers) is a salesgirl at the department store John B. Merlin and Son in New York City who has just been told that since the Christmas season is ending she is going to be dismissed. During her lunch break, she sees a stranger leaving a baby on the steps of an orphanage. Fearing the baby is going to roll down the steps, Polly picks it up as the door is opened, and is mistakenly thought to be the mother. David Merlin (David Niven), the playboy son of the store's owner, J.B. Merlin (Charles Coburn), is sympathetic to the "unwed mother" and arranges for her to get her job back. Mrs. Weiss (Ferike Boros), Polly's landlady, offers to take care of the boy when Polly is at work. Unable to convince anyone that she is not the mother, Polly gives up and starts raising the child. A showcase for Ginger Rogers to prove that she could do more than sing and dance. Remade in 1956 as Bundle of Joy with Debbie Reynolds and Eddie Fisher.

8. NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION (1989) Clark W. Griswold (Chevy Chase) and brood return for their third film and my favorite in the series. Instead of traveling somewhere, the Griswolds celebrate Christmas at home with visiting relatives. Comedy chaos ensues with situations like the search for the perfect Christmas tree to adorning the house with tons of lights to tangling with a squirrel trapped inside the house. I've seen this movie like 30 times and it's still funny as the first time I saw it. Chase is the master at the sly, sarcastic Clark who is just trying to give his family the perfect Christmas. And if takes kidnapping his boss who didn't give him a Christmas bonus, then so be it.

7. HOLIDAY INN (1942) Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire are pure magic in this delightful musical set at an inn that is open only on holidays. Christmas of course is one of the featured holidays and the duo get to work their magic. Aided by actresses Marjorie Reynolds and Virginia Dale.

6. HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949)  Robert Mitchum plays Steve Mason, a veteran and drifter, is employed as a clerk at Crowley's, a New York department store during the Christmas season. He suspects customer Connie Ennis, played by Janet Leigh, of being a comparative shopper for a rival store when she buys an expensive toy train set without asking a single question about it. That night, her son Timmy (Gordon Gebert) becomes excited when he sneaks a peek at what he thinks is his present, only to be disappointed when his mother sets him straight. When Connie returns the train the next day, Steve tells her that he should report her to the store detective, which would lead to her firing. After she explains that she is a war widow with a son to support, Steve refunds her money, a gesture that costs him his job. I love this movie. It's very under-rated and is in my book a classic holiday film. If you've never seen it, check it out. TCM is frequently airing during the holiday season.

5. THE HOLIDAY (2006) The wonderful modern romantic comedy set during the holiday season focuses on two women: Amanda (Cameron Diaz), a highly successful movie trailer editor in Los Angeles, and Iris (my girl Kate Winslet), a lovesick society column editor for The Daily Telegraph in London. The story is set in motion when each of them suffers a heartache: Amanda discovers that her boyfriend has cheated on her, while the object of Iris' unrequited love announces his engagement at the office Christmas party. Seeking an escape, Iris proposes the home swap on the internet, posting an ad about her quaint cottage in Surrey in the British countryside. Her offer is eagerly accepted by Amanda, who lives in a luxurious home in L.A. but is stressed over her break-up. So a simple switch and things begin to change for the better for the two women. Solid support from Jack Black, Jude Law, and wily veteran Eli Wallach. This movie is great for couples and anyone who loves great romances.

 
4. LADY AND THE TRAMP (1955) On Christmas morning in 1909, in Norwalk, Connecticut, Jim Dear gives his wife Darling a cocker spaniel puppy that they name Lady. Lady enjoys a happy life with the couple and with a pair of dogs from the neighborhood, a Scottish Terrier named Jock and a bloodhound named Trusty. Meanwhile, across town by the railway, a stray silver mutt, referred to as the Tramp, lives life from moment to moment, be it begging for scraps from an Italian restaurant or protecting his fellow strays Peg (a Lhasa Apso) and Bull (an English bulldog) from the local dog catcher. Things get serious when Darlings have a baby and Lady is left out. Drama unfolds but things get sorted out by the end and a year later at the following Christmas, there is a much more festive mood at The Darling home with Tramp now a member f the family. This may not be the traditional Christmas movie, but it's still a wonderful film. Beautiful to look at and an emotional and heartfelt story. This is not only one of my favorite films from Disney, but one of my favorite films period.

3. LOVE ACTUALLY (2003) delves into different aspects of love as shown through ten separate stories involving a wide variety of individuals, many of whom are shown to be interlinked as their tales progress. The ensemble cast is composed predominantly of British actors such as Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson. Set in London, the film begins five weeks before Christmas and is played out in a weekly countdown until the holiday, followed by an epilogue that takes place one month later. This is one of my favorite newer movies and it's perfect for the whole family.

2. THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942) During a cross-country lecture tour, notoriously acerbic radio personality Sheridan Whiteside (Monty Woolley) slips on the icy steps of the house of the Stanleys, a prominent Ohio family, and is forced to recuperate in their home during the Christmas holidays. The overbearing, self-centered celebrity soon comes to dominate the lives of the residents and everyone else who enters the household. He encourages young adults Richard and June Stanley to pursue their dreams, much to the dismay of their conventional father Ernest. Sheridan's assistant Maggie (a wonderfully subdued Bette Davis) tries to keep him in check. And Ann Sheridan is a riot as Sheridan's old friend and Broadway diva Lorraine. Jimmy Durante joins the fun as another of Sheridan's old buddies. The Man Who Came to Dinner is a joyous holiday film, bursting with comedy and fun. One of the best.

1. CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945) And finally my favorite Christmas movie is this charming and delightful film starring Barbara Stanwyck as columnist Elizabeth Lane, who is comparable to what Martha Stewart is today. Problem is, her life is all fake and she really doesn't know anything about cooking, decorating, or living on a farm. She is requested by her publisher (Sydney Greenstreet in a nice departure from film noir flicks) to entertain a war hero (Dennis Morgan) over the holidays. Soon Liz is put on the spot to deliver a home cooked meal and decorate the place with her legendary touch. Babs is awesome in this movie. She gives one of her best performances. And this is how you make a great holiday film. Funny, romantic, touching and beautfiful to look at. So that's why it's my favorite Christmas movie of all time. And I know I'm a guy, but is it me or did Babs know how to dress or what? Stunning clothes adorn her throughout the movie. Just another reason to love this movie.

Honorable mentions include:

SUSAN SLEPT HERE (1954) with Dick Powell and Debbie Reynolds
WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954) with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye
THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER (1940) with James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan
I'LL BE SEEING YOU (1946) with Ginger Rogers and Joseph Cotten
SCROOGED (1988) with Bill Murray