Dawn's Favorites 41-50.

50. Sabrina.

A very charming movie that was made for Audrey Hepburn. She plays a chauffeur's daughter, who falls in love with a playboy. She  goes to Paris and returns as a sophisticated young lady.

49. 3 Days of The Condor.

A spy thriller, with many suspenseful twists and turns, having a common man fighting for his life... similar, to Alfred Hitchcock's... North By Northwest.

48. North By Northwest.

A movie of mistaken identity, with an innocent man chased across the United States by agents who want to stop his interference in their plans to smuggle out microfilm holding government secrets. Hitchcock, used this technique in many of his films.

One of my favorite scenes:

47. Out Of The Past.

I really enjoyed, for lack of a better word, humorous at times dialog and the twists and turns of this wonderful film noir. I thought Robert Mitchum's mixed up character very intriguing. Jane Greer, makes a very good bad girl.

46. The Thomas Crown Affair.

This movie showcases McQueen's perfect cool image and the beautiful Dunaway. With the then-innovative multiple split screens and the beautiful theme song with Noel Harrison. The chess game is still the most-seductive scene where all the clothes stay on and nobody talks.

45. Some Like It Hot.

Monroe's Sugar, is very lovable, especially when she sings: Running Wild, I'm Through With Love and "boop-boop-a-doop" her signature song, "I Wanna Be Loved by You." Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, were tastefully, hilarious playing a couple of tasteful drag queens.

44. Laura.

This awesome film noir's atmospheric plot grabs you from the beginning and you will find yourself loving the surprising twists and turns. I'm not telling you anymore about the plot, because I do not want to spoil it for you..

43. Orchestra Wives(1942). Cast: Ann Rutherford and George Montgomery, Lynn Bari, Carole Landis, Cesar Romero, Virginia Gilmore, Mary Beth Hughes and The Nicholas Brothers. The film was the second and last film to feature The Glenn Miller Orchestra.

Connie Ward marries Bill Abbott, a trumpet player in Gene Morrison's swing band. She soon finds herself having trouble with the other band member's wives. She is also worried by the flirtation between Abbott and Jaynie, the band's female vocalist. When Ward decides to walk out on Abbott, the tensions among the musicians and their wives, come to a head and band leader Morrison, is forced to break up the orchestra. Ward and the band's pianist Sinjin then work together to reunite the band, which also produces a reconciliation between Ward and Abbot.

This wonderful movie seems to be almost unknown, yet it should be on the top of the list of every Glenn Miller fan.

Orchestra Wives features many wonderful songs by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, who were also responsible for the songs featured in Miller's first film, Sun Valley Serenade (1941). The main production number is "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo".

An analogue of "Chattanooga Choo-Choo", from the first film that features a vocals and sax by Tex Beneke, backup singing by the Modernaires, and the dance sequence by the Nicholas Brothers.

Other songs include: "People Like You and Me", "Bugle Call Rag"

The romantic ballads "At Last",

"Serenade in Blue".

The film score uses "At Last" as a musical motif that is played throughout the movie.

42. Glass Bottom Boat.


This film has an amazing supporting cast... Dick Martin, is wonderful as Taylor's partner and Arthur Godfrey.. is great as her Dad. Paul Lynde, is hilarious as a paranoid security guard, who goes under cover in drag. Dom DeLuise, plays a cute part as an inept spy.

41.The Egg and Eye.


This is a very cute and charming little movie. Claudette Colbert was a hilarious and Fred MacMurray was equally as funny. Ma and Pa Kettle steal the whole film, so it's no surprise they got their own film series.

Dawns Favorites 31 - 40.

40. Out of Towners.

My husband and I both love this movie. I think we can recite this movie line for line. I also thought Dennis's performance of the supportive wife was hilarious, as she does everything she can just to keep her husband happy.

39. Scarlet Street.

This is definitely not a predictable film. The powerful psychological mind games is one of the best I have seen on film. I believe this film is a "gotta see", and I don't think you will be disappointed.

38. Woman In The Window.

 This is a wonderful "film noir". The dark shadows, the femme fatale, the detectives, the murder... I think you will love the surprise ending..

37. The Fountainhead.

In my favorite scene Francon watches Roark from a distance and becomes immediately attracted to him and tricks Roark into her home on a pretense of a job, but is angered by his cool manor. She has no idea that he is Howard Roark, the brilliant architect.

36. Ball of Fire.

I thought the story of Bertram Potts, a linguistics professor and his group of quirky colleagues writing a encyclopedia, was Hilarious. Loved watching the faces of the people that Bertram was eavesdropping on. My favorite scene is when Sugarpuss is teaching the conga to the other professors.



I also loved when the story takes a wild turn and the professor and his colleagues take on Sugarpuss's mobster boyfriend and his henchmen. I also enjoyed this wonderful scene in the nightclub.

35. Shampoo.

I have always felt that this was a "period" film and the closest character to Beatty in real life. Shampoo and Splendor in the Grass, are my favorite Beatty performances.

34. Butterflies Are Free.


I have always thought that this was another "period" film. Also, There are some wonderful scenes in this movie, especially the performances between Heckart and Goldie. If I were to select one movie that reminded me of my life in the 70's.. I think this classic film would be it..

33. Blood And Sand.

 Awesome supporting cast, cinematography, music and the star power of Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth. I think this film has my favorite "silver screen" sexy dance scene..

32. Duel in the Sun.

My favorite scene of the film is: When McCanles tells Laura Belle that he has always blamed her for his injury. When he thought she was going away to be with Chavez. He now knows it was his own jealousy that caused the accident. He admits that he has always loved her. I cry every time.. Duel in the Sun, is my favorite Gregory Peck, performance.

31. Dark Victory.

Judith Traherne socialite/heiress, who loves fast cars and beautiful horses, is in the prime of her life, when Dr. Frederick Steele  her best friend, diagnoses a brain tumor. The doctor tells her secretary that the tumor will come back and slowly kill her. After learning her fate at a fancy restaurant, Judy announces "I think I'll have a large order of prognosis negative!" What follows next is a life of drunken recklessness. Her horse trainer Michael , who loves her, tells her to get as much out of life as she can. She marries Steele who is looking for a cure for her illness. As he goes off to a conference in New York, Judith's eyesight is beginning to fail. Will Steele find a cure in time?

 

Dawn's movie favorites: 21-30.

30. Rear Window.

"Rear Window" is a very entertaining suspense movie with some romance mixed in. There are many characters, some humorous and some moving. A movie you will not soon forget..

29. Cover Girl.

A wonderful story about a girl named Rusty Parker, who dreams of being on Broadway which means she would have to leave the small theater where she works with Danny and Genius. Every Friday night, they go to a local bar where they order oysters so they can look for a pearl. Rusty, learns that fame is not all that it is cracked up to be. The movie showcases the amazing talents of Rita and Gene Kelly.

28. Please Don't Eat The Daisies.

This is one of my favorite Doris Day movies. I feel it captures her best performances as a mother. Doris interaction with the children is hilarious, she's so natural with them. And of course, the musical numbers are fluffy, but that was what we loved about her. Niven makes a wonderful husband for Doris. I also loved Janis Page performance in this film ( she was the top billed female in Doris first film, Romance on the High Seas). Spring Byington is fantastic as the grandmother.

27. Roberta.

Besides the wonderful Ginger and Fred dance numbers, I really enjoyed the costume designs of the 30's.

26. Gentleman Prefer Blondes.

Besides the wonderful dance numbers, wonderful clothes.. I loved the sisterhood between these two characters. I think it would be fun to have a friend like that..

25. Meet Me In St Louis.

I love everything about this movie, the scenery, costumes, actors and story line about learning life lessons. If you were to ask me which is my favorite part of the movie. I would have to say Halloween when, Tootie and her sister Agnes dress up and go out to celebrate Halloween with the neighborhood children. Wanting to prove herself to the other children, Tootie, insists on going up to the feared neighbor Mr. Braukoff door, and blow flour in his face. After Tootie is called the "most horrible," she puts her family into a panic when she returns home, crying, bruised and with a cut lip. Tootie claims that John hit her by the trolley tracks, Esther at first refuses to believe her, but.. changes her mind when she sees a clump of hair in Tootie's hand. Esther storms over to John's house, accuses him of being a bully and beats him up. Tootie and Agnes confess that John actually saved them from being arrested after they almost caused an accident on the trolley tracks. Esther rushes back to John's house to apologize.

24. Bell Book Candle.

It's kinda hard to believe this is the same Kim Novak that performed in Vertigo the same year. Her personality in this film and her very hypnotic good looks, make this a wonderful film...

23. Cheri.

What a beautiful and tragic love story about two people who fall madly into a scandalous love affair. The only thing standing in their way is the big age difference. "Cheri" is a amazing period film taking place in France before World War I .

Michelle Pfeiffer is wonderful as the aging mistress. "Lea". "Cheri" played wonderfully by Rupert Friend. Naturally, what happens to their relationship is heartbreaking. Cheri's, immaturity eventually gets the best of him and it's Lea who realizes what they have is a rare kind of love.


This is long before Cheri does. Lea silently and slowly crumbles before our eyes over their break up, while hanging on to what is left of her dignity. Kathy Bates, is the perfect comedic relief to this deep and dark love story. I loved all the beautiful locations and sets. I absolutely love/love the elegant costumes.

22. On An Island With You.

If you are an Esther Williams fan you will love this movie. It is one of my favorites. Williams and Lawford are wonderful together and so are Ricardo Montalban and Cyd Charisse. Especially during their beautiful dance numbers. If you love happy and romantic musicals you'll love this movie. And don't forget.. we get to see Esther doing what she does best in beautiful water performances.

21. Neptune's Daughter. The mistaken identities and romantic complications turn this film into a great mix of fun. Garrett and Skelton's on screen chemistry was wonderful. I'm surprised that they did not do more films together..

Dawn's Favorite movies 11-20.

You should see my living room with all my movies in stacks of 10 looking for my favorite DVD's. It is quite the sight....

20. Breakfast at Tiffany's.


Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard performances are what make the film memorable. One of my favorite scenes is when, Holly and Paul agree to spend the day together, visiting the library and going to Tiffany's, where Paul has the ring from a box of Cracker Jacks engraved. 

19. The Night Of The Iguana.

Night of the Iguana is deeply emotional film. The characters all have their troubles, but.. they are also thoughtful and courageous. Creating a film that is absolutely amazing. One that you will want to watch many times.

18. How To Marry A Millionaire.

I really enjoyed watching this film. It has three wonderful actresses of the era: Marilyn Monroe, Betty Grable, and Lauren Bacall. A great movie with many cute twists and turns, that make it worth watching, maybe on a Sunday afternoon.

17. Flying over Rio.

Fred and Ginger perform their first ever screen dance, The Carioca, a musical number with Latin- American tempo complete with beautiful costumes, guest singers and the very kaleidoscopic shots. The beautiful Delores Del Rio and Gene Raymond adding spice to this wonderful little film..

16. Moon Over Miami.

I really enjoyed watching Betty Grable sing and dance in this fun/colorful movie. I also really enjoyed the location scenes of Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs.

Moon Over Miami(1941). Musical. Director: Walter Lang. Cast: Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings, Carole Landis, Jack Haley, and Charlotte Greenwood. It was one of Haley's last appearances in a major, large-budgeted film; after 1943 he began making mostly B-pictures. Haley, is best known for his performance as the, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.

Kay and Barbara Latimer, both holding down jobs, singing at the Texas drive-in restaurant as car hops, with their aunt Susan, who is flipping burgers. Waiting for the mailman to bring their inheritance check of $55,000. Only to read the disappointing news they will only receive only $4,000. They talk Susan, into spending the money on a trip to Miami, to find rich husbands. Barbara, comes up with a plan to pretend to be Kay's secretary, and Susan her maid. They fly off to the Flamingo Hotel and make quick friends with Jack, a bartender who tells them he will protect them from the Gold Diggers.




Kay tricks Jeff into an invitation, to his party. Where she also meet meets Phil, heir to the McNeil Mines. Close friends Jeff and Phil, begin a playful competition for Kay affections. Kay finds herself not able to choose whom she would like to marry. Her sister Barbara has secretly fallen in love with Jeff.

The women find themselves in financial trouble, after a couple weeks of living it up at the fancy hotel. They need $150 to pay their hotel bill. Kay, has plans to go dancing with her two friends later that evening. Kay invites Barbara, to come along so she can dance with Jeff, while she talks with Phil.

Phil admits to her that he is broke. Kay, also admits, that she came to Miami, to find a rich husband. They decide that they are not right for each other. Phil searches out Jeff to tell him that Kay loves him, after which they becomes engaged . As the women are packing to leave for Jeff's families island, Jack overhears them talking about their Gold Digging plans, and threatens to tell Jeff. Jack finds himself locked in the bathroom, while the women quickly leave for the island.

Phil, decides he can not live without Kay, and comes up with a plan to stop the wedding. The woman are surprised to see Jack, who came to inform Jeff that Kay, is not really love him. Will Phil get there in time to stop the wedding, or ...Will Jack ruin the girls plans?

15. Midnight.

I thought that the story was very magical and entertaining.  Claudette Colbert, proves once again that she was a wonderful comedian. Don Ameche and Mary Astor also gives a wonderful performances.

14. Mogambo.

The film offers some of the best wildlife shots taken of the Africa. Most of the music is performed by the native tribes. The film shows a traditional Africa that has long since passed. This type of scenes is why I love this film.. but the love triangle is still the focus. Clark Gable's performance is amazing. How often does an actor have the opportunity of portraying the same character 20 years later? In "Red Dust", where Gable was also gives a awesome performance.

13. Elephant Walk.

This film is a great Elizabeth Taylor film. She is absolutely gorgeous and makes the right decision in the end.

12. Singin in the Rain.

It is a wonderful look into Hollywood and its transition from silent films to "talkies."

There is a tie for # 11.

Busby Berkeley 9 film collection.

I love the whole DVD collection, but.. I really enjoy the: BONUS BUSBY BERKELEY DISC: A Collection of 21 Musical Sequences from all of the films in the collection.

Memoirs of a Geisha.


I love everything about this film, the scenery, costumes, actors and story line of a young woman growing into a beautiful and accomplished geisha. The film, set in Japan During the Showa Era, tells the story of Chiyo Sakamoto who is sold by her parents work in a geisha house when she is nine years old. Chiyo is taken in by the owner of a geisha house, where she works to pay off her debt of ruining a beautiful silk kimono owned by a famous geisha, Mameha. Chiyo was forced into defacing the kimono by another geisha, Hatsumomo.


One day the young Chiyo meets the Chairman, who buys her an cherry sorbet and gives her his handkerchief. Her spirit lifted by his act of kindness, Chiyo makes a promise to herself to become a geisha so that she may have a better life. 


When Chiyo, becomes a young woman, she is taken under the wing of Mameha, head of a rival geisha house. Despite a vicious rival who nearly takes it all from her, the girl blossoms into beautiful and accomplished geisha Sayuri, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men, but is haunted by her secret love for one man.This film is filled with suspense, romance and twists and turns..
 Full length movie.

Dawn's Updated "Top 10" movies.

Ian,  has requested my list of  "Top 10" films, which are always fun to put together.. I do not know if you are like me,  but... it seems my favorites change from year to year.

10.  Romance On The High Seas. This is my favorite Doris Day's movie and her sparkling personality launched one of Hollywood's most successful film careers. 

9.Mr. Skeffington.

I thought Claude Rains was wonderful as the very patient husband Job Skeffington. Bette Davis,  really seemed to take her part as Fanny very seriously.  Even though this may not be one of the best movies of Bette Davis acting career, it is one of my favorite movies.

8.Sunset Boulevard.


I really enjoyed watching the film Sunset Boulevard. I was surprised by the depth of characters. Especially the outrageous Norma's fragile/enormous ego. The story is dark and twisted with Norma's character coming out at the most surprising moments. Cinematography and lighting are wonderful. A movie I will never forget.

7. Vertigo.
The wonderful performances of Novak and Stewart make this one of my favorite films. Hitchcock, is on the mark for creating hypnotic scenes and a sense of tension which will keep you on the edge of your seat! Also.. the film's wonderful score of Bernard Herrman is very important in help creating the atmosphere of one of my favorite films..

6. The Age of Innocence.

I was amazed at the wonderful attention to details Martin Scorsese showed in the film. I thought it was amazing how he brought out the hidden emotion of his characters. One of my favorite scenes is when:  Newland Archer (Daniel Day-Lewis) waits for the Countess Olenska at her home, looking at the paintings on the wall, and her small collection of treasures from around the world. Through what he sees and what he touches he sees the Countess in his mind. Then we hear the arrival of a carriage, he still seems to be under her spell.((((sigh))) I love this movie. I loved all the beautiful 1870’s Victorian costumes.

5.Tombstone.

One of the things that stood out most in the movie for me was the friendship between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. The performances of Kurt Russell (as Wyatt Earp) and especially Val Kilmer, for his performance as the dying Doc Holliday, is my favorite on screen performances..

4.Leave Her To Heaven.

In my opinion, not only was Gene Tierney beautiful, she was a very versatile in her movie performances. She was equally wonderful in what ever role she would perform in. From her role in, Heaven Can Wait, to her performance in, Leave Her to Heaven. Where she played one of the most heartless characters I have ever seen on film.

3. The Ghost and Mrs Muir.

This is a wonderful romantic fantasy that tells the story of young widow (Gene Tierney), who moves into what turns out to be haunted seaside cottage of the late Captain Gregg ( Rex Harrison), with her young daughter (played as a child by Natalie Wood, by Vanessa Brown as an adult).The captain first tries to scare the widow away, but soon they team up to write a novel so that she can stay at the cottage. They talk about everything except their feelings for each other. When Miles Fairley, a ladies man, enters Lucy's life offering her a chance for happiness in the real world, the Captain loves her enough to leave her. Unfortunately, Miles is found out for what he is and for the next thirty years Lucy lives in the Cottage alone, waiting.... Will she ever see her Captain again?

2.The Illusionist

A period drama written and directed by Neil Burger. Cast: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti. Based on Steven Millhauser's "Eisenheim the Illusionist".
The film is seen through Chief Inspector Uhl eyes.

When Eisenheim was a young boy, he meets a traveling magician sitting under a tree beside a road. The magician performs several tricks for him and then, right before his eyes.. both the magician and the tree vanish. From that day on, Eisenheim becomes obsessed with magic tricks. He falls in love with Sophie, the Duchess von Teschen, well above his social class. Young Eisenheim makes Young Sophie a puzzle locket, when twisted shows a small, picture of Eisenheim. The two are forbidden to see each other, they meet secretly in the woods, where Eisenheim tells her of his plans to go to China to learn magic, Sophie wants to go with him. On the day that they are planning on leaving, the police come looking for Sophie. The two hide and Sophie begs Eisenheim to make them both disappear. He is unable to perform the trick.

Eisenheim leaves his village to travel to China. He returns 15 years later as a master illusionist. When magician Eisenheim begins to perform his amazing illusions in Vienna, word quickly spreads of his amazing powers. Crown Prince Leopold, believes the illusionist is a fraud. Leopold attends one of Eisenheim's shows, not being very much of a gentleman, he has his fiancee Sophie von Teschen, assists the magician onstage. Eisenheim and Sophie recognize each other from their childhoods and realize that they are still in love.

Eisenheim and Leopold begin fighting over Sophie, it quickly becomes obvious that they will go to any length for her. Vienna's Chief Inspector Uhl, is demanded by Leopold to expose Eisenheim, even while the magician gains a devoted following. With Uhl searching for the reasons behind the illusions, Eisenheim performs his greatest illusion.

This film is filled with suspense, romance and twists and turns.. The special effects are amazing. The music becomes a part of the movie, telling the story when there is no dialogue. The cast all gave an awesome performance.

Video: full length movie..

 

1.Gone With The Wind.

Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable, are possibly the best known classic romantic movie couples of all time. Also, the movie Gone with the Wind, in my opinion is one of the most romantic stories of all time.