Since 2020 turned out to be the perfect year to
reminisce our best memories with people we love, place we’ve been, things we’ve
done, why not continue this journey during the holidays. So, let’s go back,
where Christmas was not so colorful, but really warm, heartfelt, hopeful and
magical. I’m offering you some classic movies from the Golden age in Hollywood
with incredibly talented actors. The list of the titles is random not somehow
categorized.
1. The Bishop’s Wife (1947)
I’ve discovered the movie this year and I’m really
charmed by it. I like lot the acting skills of Cary Grant and his presence on
the screen. The story is simple and yet 100% captures the essence of Christmas
and the magic of the season. It emphasis on the little things in life, which
are the most important ones. Cary Grant is an angel, whose mission is to help
the bishop and the people around him remember what truly matters in life with a
few nudges here and there and some right words at the right time. It’s a
meaningful movie, but at the same time fun and very relaxing to watch.
2. It’s a Wonderful life (1946)
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore,
Thomas Mitchell
I cannot skip this one, because it’s a world wide
classic. It’s plot also features an angel who is sent in George Bailey’s life
at a point, where he has a lot of problems and feels helpless, lost and don’t
know how to deal with all of his troubles. He’s not even able to see how many people
around him really care for him and honestly love him. The angel shows George
Bailey a different perspective in order to help him realize what a huge impact
his life has on his own town and people in it. I think the story is relevant to
everyone, because we all have ups and downs, sometimes wonder what went wrong
and try to figure out a way to keep going ahead, but sooner or later the sun
will shine after the storm. Furthermore we mustn’t forget that everything we say
and do everyday matters, even our presence at a certain time and place.
3. Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Starring: Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan, Sydney Greenstreet, Reginald Gardiner, S.Z. Sakall
Barbara
Stanwick is a cook writer who lied her boss, that she has a family and a house
in Connecticut. One day her boss decides to invite a war hero in her home for a
traditional Christmas celebration. There is one more lie in the story – she
cannot cook at all and she has no idea how to pull everything through. This is
a really fun movie to watch.
The remake from 1992 is also wonderful with Dyan
Cannon, Kris
Kristofferson and Tony Curtis.
4. Holiday Inn (1942)
Starring: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale, Walter Abel
If you love musicals, this is your Christmas movie. I
think the first two names in the starring list are enough to get the idea what
to expect.
5. White Christmas (1954)
Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney,
Vera-Ellen, Dean Jagger.
A team of two successful singers and dancers become romantically
involved with a sister act. They team up to save the failing Vermont inn of their
former commanding general.
6. A Christmas Carol (1999)
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Richard E. Grant, Joel Grey
I know this one isn’t from the Golden age, but it’s a timeless Christmas classic. There are many movies, which are inspired or strictly follow Charles Dickens's novel. According to me this is an excellent motion picture. If
you want to watch the Dicken’s story, I think this is the right version
of it.
7. The Shop Around the Corner (1940)
Starring:
Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart, Frank Morgan
Does
the title sound familiar? Well, if you’ve watched “You’ve got mail”, it probably
will. Actually this is the original story and I was very curious to see it,
because I really like the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan movie. So, I watched it and
it’s different, but not in a bad way. On the contrary, It’s fascinating. There are letters on paper involved, not
e-mails and there are no competitive bookstores. For more watch the movie.
8. Meet
me in St. Louis (1944)
Starring:
Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Marjorie Main
A
story about a family with four daughters in St. Louis. Everybody is excited
about the upcoming World’s Fair in the city. One day the father announces his
promotion, which requires for the whole Smith family to move to New York. No
one really wants to leave St. Louse, because of various reasons. However reluctantly they prepare for it. Meanwhile a lot if thing happen. There are songs, dancing, funny moments, love and a Christmas Ball.
Find
time to watch them all. They are amazing stories about the most valuable things
in life with very talented actors. Take a journey back in time and see what
Christmas used to be and bring something good and inspiring into your holidays
today.
