by Kimberly Froeschner
Your soaps are slowly dying off, so why not get some movie classics in while you eat your bon bons and the kids are napping? Yeah, right. If you're like me, you haven't seen a soap opera since college.
However...if you find yourself lying on the couch sick with the latest virus, or up in the middle of the night holding the baby (with the latest virus)...Or in case you just need a break. I've listed a few of my favorite classics for your enjoyment, along with a little insight about why these are indeed must-see movies.
I'm an Alfred Hitchcock suspense fan. Nobody does it better. This is definitely one of his best, and kudos to Grace Kelly for not hesitating to prove that a girly girl isn't afraid to get dirty (or do a little dirty work). I love the fact that in a time when men still "took care of the little woman," this movie portrays a strong female lead that gets the job done and takes care of her man.
One important thing to note: the entire movie is shot in one room of an apartment, showing the view from that apartment's rear window - hence the name. (Brilliant move on Hitchcock's part because it builds the feeling of helplessness and being trapped as you watch the story unfold.) It's not scary, but there are some nail-biting moments. For that matter, if you aren't a fan of scary movies and have avoided Hitchcock for that reason, there are only two scary movies: Psycho and The Birds. The rest of his body of work is centered around suspense, and is well worth watching.
Tip: You'll notice that Hitchcock gives himself a cameo in each of his movies. It's always fun to see where he'll turn up.
Gaslight (1944)
In this film, Ingrid Bergman plays a woman whose aunt is murdered, and she is sent away to be trained as a singer in her aunt's footsteps. She meets a man and they marry. It all seems so wonderful and happy until you notice the way her husband starts treating her. Gaslight has long been a pop culture reference, and trust me: you want to be in on this one; it will soon become your favorite reference. The movie may frustrate you or even make you mad as you watch, but don't worry, there is vindication at the end. It's very "Girl Power."
The Women (1939)
Don't cheat and watch the 2008 version of this movie first! (If you've already seen it, do yourself a big favor and watch the original; it's more powerful.)
There's a lesson to be learned with this movie: Girls, we all love each other and we'll stick up for each other to the end. Unfortunately, we'll also backstab and drag each other down in the chase for a man if we aren't careful. Who hasn't been walked over by some woman who just wanted to get your man? Who hasn't been degraded by some woman trying to make herself feel better about her own bad choices? Sad, but true.
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about the mother's advice and the ending of this movie, but it's still a must-see. I think the best lesson here is to take the high road when gossip abounds and the snake pit awaits. One important thing to note: the movie's focus is men, theoretically, but try to find a single male in the entire movie. Even the pets are female. The only exceptions are a drawing of a bull and an ad on the back of a magazine. And you'll find yourself looking for "Jungle Red" when it's all over!
Bonus: There's an odd colorized fashion show stuck in the middle of this black and white movie. I can only guess some women's fashion company must have paid big bucks for that. It adds nothing to the plot, but it's fascinating to watch nonetheless.
The Thin Man (1934)
There is a series of movies, six total, that follow Detective Nick Charles and his wife Nora. This one is just pure entertainment. You can watch them in order or skip around, but once you see the first, I think you'll want to see them all.
William Powell and Myrna Loy's characters are the couple my husband and I want to be in our next lives. They constantly flirt with each other, and exchange witty banter as they find themselves in one crazy situation after another. Nick is always entertaining as he solves each murder mystery with ease, and Nora's deadpan commentary is hilarious. These movies to me are the stereotypical 30's movie that portray the upper classes doing what they do: socializing and simultaneously dealing with the latest gossip or scandal.
One important thing to note: Nick Charles is not the Thin Man of the title. The reference to the real Thin Man is obscure - he's the missing person in the first movie characterized as a "thin man with white hair". However, moviegoers assumed the reference referred to Nick, and so they included it in each movie title thereafter. It is rumored that Johnny Depp will reprise the role of Nick Charles in a remake. See the original first! I love Depp, but he has big shoes to fill in this one.
Moral: Don't be afraid of old movies. Just because we were forced to watch the boring old black and white movies in English class doesn't mean they are all bad. The films above (and others!) are of the best of old Hollywood. They just don't make 'em like they used to!
PS - If you see these movies and get hooked like me, here are a few more suggestions:
It Happened One Night (1934) romantic comedy starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert
Notorious (1946) Nazi spy movie starring Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman and directed by Alfred Hitchcock
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) a funny silly comedy starting Cary Grant
His Girl Friday (1940) romantic comedy starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) uplifting drama starring James Stewart and Jean Arthur
The Shop Around the Corner (1940) romantic comedy starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan (same plot element is used in "You've Got Mail." Did you notice that Meg Ryan's bookstore is called "The Shop Around the Corner"?)
The Philadelphia Story (1940) romantic comedy starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and James Stewart
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